A great, thunderous transformation has recently engulfed Ontario’s legislature at Queen’s Park, yet it has been met with complete silence by the pundits, scribes, and virtually unnoticed by the public.

But to this MPP, it has been deafening.

Representation has returned to parts of our democracy, and while being embraced by some parties, clearly remains taboo to others.

The fundamental change that has happened with the PC Party under Patrick Brown’s leadership is this: Freedom to represent those who elect us, liberty to discuss policy, and respect for voting independence by PC MPPs. Brown has ushered in a new era for our democracy; it cannot, and must not, be overlooked.

Let me explain.

For more than eight years, I served as a Progressive Conservative MPP to represent my constituents. However, when I chose to abstain from voting on Bill 115 and broke ranks with my party’s orthodoxy, I ran afoul of the party brass. As a consequence, I was placed in the caucus penalty box for my truancy.

The recent court ruling against the Ontario government regarding Bill 115 was surely a moment of euphoria for the teachers, but also a small measure of redemption for me.

However, Bill 115 was neither the first nor last time my incorrigible independence and commitment to my constituents cost me both party and legislative standings.

My refusal to condone Bill 68, the Ellis Don legislation, resulted in my being stripped of my labour critic portfolio, legislative committee seats, and banished to the back benches. To add insult to this, I was prevented from asking questions and engaging in debate for more than a year.

But this happens in all political parties; Hansard is full of anecdotes and commentary from all sides of the house condemning when MPPs must act as trained seals or lose favour with their party. Nowhere is this more acute and demanded than in government caucuses.

Although many people believe that politicians always say one thing and do another, Patrick Brown made a commitment to caucus that free votes would be not only permitted, but welcomed, and he has followed through with his commitment.

In 2015, I was free to vote my conscience on Bill 45, which removes healthier choices from people, and although I lost the vote 99-1, there was no penalty. And Bill 45, like Bill 115, will also be overturned by our courts in time.

Similarly, during Bill 52, I and others advanced arguments to support the Liberal anti-slap legislation, and the PC caucus voted with both freedom and independence.

Recently, Bill 100 came before the house, and once again arguments both pro and con were advanced by me and my colleagues, and once again, a free and unpunished vote was taken.

What is truly amazing, however, is that with this deluge of independence and absence of rigid adherence to party discipline, our democracy did not fall into ruins, nor did the sky fall as members voted using their best judgment or in tune with their constituents’ concerns.

Obviously, no one agrees on everything with anyone else. Differences of perspective and views are healthy, not detrimental, but I do agree with Brown wholeheartedly on restoring MPPs to their rightful place at Queen’s Park.

I’m confident it’s a winning formula, not just for the PC Party, but for all of Ontario — and a return to solid, good and accountable governance.

What a breath of fresh air.

— Hillier is the Progressive Conservative MPP for the riding of Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington