The Centennial Flame is seen during a snow storm at Parliament Hill Dec 27, 2012 in Ottawa, Ont. ANDRE FORGET/QMI AGENCY

Now that the curtain has lowered on the Soup Opera that played out at a teepee near Parliament Hill for six weeks, MPs return Monday to the other folly known as question period.

Since the last session ended in a near slap down between NDP House leader Nathan Cullen and Conservative House leader Peter Van Loan, there's still room for MPs to take decorum to new lows — and they'll likely find a way.

So while Canadians groan at their behaviour, the Conservatives will carry on with an agenda heavy on the economy, international affairs and domestic irritants such as buying new fighter jets and addressing aboriginal grievances.