The political spirit of the times under a three-term Liberal government was encapsulated in an exchange in question period earlier this week.

In response to opposition fury at the auditor general’s report into Sustainable Development Technology Canada — which found 90 violations of conflict-of-interest policies; $59 million in contracts awarded to 10 projects that were not eligible; and frequent overstatement of environmental benefits — the industry minister was animated, repeatedly in both official languages: “We are going to restore governance. We are going to restore confidence,” said François-Philippe Champagne.