Did the PM Dodge or Answer Today?

We grade Opposition questions for clarity and PM answers for evasiveness.

Today:Question B·Answer D-·Mixed

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Today's Head-to-Head

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SESSION OVERVIEW

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2025
Pierre Poilievre

Pierre Poilievre

Leader of Opposition

B

(83%)

Question Rigor

SPIN DETECTED
6 OF 6
questions deflected
DEFLECTION RATE
100%
LOW
SPIN
HIGH
SPIN
EXTREME SPIN
Mark Carney

Mark Carney

Prime Minister

D-

(61%)

Answer Directness

6
EXCHANGES
0
DIRECT ANSWERS
6
SPIN DETECTED
Date:Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Exchanges:6
Avg Question:B
Avg Answer:D-
Dodges (F):1

Understanding the Grades

Each leader is graded on their specific role in Question Period.

Question Grade

Opposition Leader Only

Grades the clarity, focus, and substance of the Opposition Leader's questions.

  • 🟢AExceptional — Clear, specific, evidence-based
  • 🔵BGood — Mostly clear and focused
  • 🟡CAverage — Has merit but lacks focus
  • 🟠DPoor — Mostly rhetorical, little substance
  • 🔴FFailing — No clear ask, pure grandstanding
📝

Answer Grade

Prime Minister Only

Grades how directly the Prime Minister answers the question asked.

  • 🟢AExceptional — Direct answer with specifics
  • 🔵BGood — Mostly answers with some hedging
  • 🟡CAverage — Partial answer, significant pivot
  • 🟠DPoor — Barely acknowledges the question
  • 🔴FFailing — Complete deflection or non-answer

Sample Question Period Exchange

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Pierre Poilievre
Question — Pierre Poilievre

Leader of the Opposition

“Mr. Speaker, why did you not raise the issue of tariffs when you met with the U.S. President last month? Canadians deserve a direct answer.”
Question Grade

Clarity & specificity

B-

82%

Mark Carney
Answer — Mark Carney

Prime Minister

“Mr. Speaker, we have secured the best trading relationship with the United States in a generation. Canada's economy is resilient and we continue to stand up for Canadian workers...”

Answer Grade

How directly answered

F

35%

Analysis

Question (B- / 82%): Clear, specific question about a particular meeting with evidence-based framing.

Answer (F / 35%): Complete deflection. Did not address whether tariffs were raised. Pivoted to unrelated talking points.

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