On caucus day, all of the leaders were present but there were a few curiously empty desks. Rona Ambrose led off, mini-lectern on neighbouring desk, asking about Canadian special forces troops coming under fire near Mosul, and wondered about the training mission. Trudeau replied about helping our allies take the fight to ISIS, and listed off the additional resources added to the mission. Ambrose asked again about the combat mission, and Trudeau reiterated that it was not a combat mission. Ambrose then moved back to the howls for a referendum, and Trudeau listed off his promises of broad consultation. Denis Lebel took over in French to demand a referendum, and got much the same answer, and then a second round of the same. Thomas Mulcair was up next, asking about RCMP surveillance on journalists, and Trudeau reminded him that the RCMP were taking steps, and that they have learned from their mistakes. Mulcair asked again in English, and demanded why C-51 was not repealed. Trudeau mentioned ongoing consultations with stakeholders and the forthcoming parliamentary oversight body for national security. Mulcair then switched to C-10 and jobs affected, and Trudeau insisted that they were trying to ensure the long-term success of the industry. For his final question, Mulcair bemoaned the lack of investment in Bombardier, and Trudeau reiterate that they are encouraging investment in the sector.

Round two, and Blake Richards, Alain Rayes, and Scott Reid returned to the wails for a referendum (Monsef: We are listening to Canadians). Christine Moore and Irene Mathyssen asked about veterans earnings-loss benefits (Hehr: We have ensured that they have not lost money as a result of these changes). Blaine Calkins and Karen Vecchio asked about ministerial office renovations (Sohi: This was not a standalone ministry, and we need to create space for the minister, the DM and support staff). Gord Johns asked about small business tax cuts (Chagger: Money in the pockets of Canadians helps small business revenues), and Nathan Cullen bemoaned that his democratic review committee isn’t being implemented (Monsef: I’m looking forward to starting this discussion tomorrow).

Round three saw questions on ministerial travel, diafiltered milk, trade talks with China, Canadians held in China, BC LNG approvals, infrastructure fund transfers, softwood lumber, and Elizabeth May argued against a referendum (Trudeau: This is an issue that matters, and we’ve committed to working with Canadians).

Overall, the tiresome demands for a referendum were interspersed with some tiresome cheap outrage that doesn’t stand up in the light of day. The bigger difference today was that the Liberals suddenly stopped applauding their own answers. It completely changed the tenor in the House, and the lack of constant self-congratulation was noticeable – particularly how it made the self-congratulation of opposition parties all the more apparent. This development happened with no fanfare or announcement, and one assumes this was something they decided on in caucus this morning, and we can hope that this both keeps up and gets adopted by the other parties. The amount of time wasted by frivolous clapping and the constant ovations is not insignificant, and having a more sober debate without the constant cheering will hopefully help to spur MPs to be more serious in their questions as they won’t be doing it for the applause. Well, one can hope, anyway.

 Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Frank Baylis for a light grey suit with a pink shirt and pocket square and a rainbow tie — one of several for the start of Pride Month — and to Joyce Murray for a dark pink jacket with a white top. Style citations go out to Rona Ambrose for a pale gold long jacket with a medium green satin top and black skirt, and to Larry Miller for a moss green jacket with tan trousers, a white shirt and a red tartan tie. Dishonourable mention goes out to Salma Zahid for a yellow jacket with a cream top and black trousers.