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Sometimes I’m not convinced Canadians are particularly committed to democracy.

We think we are, though. Especially in contrast to our powerful neighbour to the south, whose polarized politics both entertains and outrages us.

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But there is an argument to be made that the U.S. — as well as Britain, Australia, Germany, Ireland, Japan, and a host of other advanced nations — have political systems that are more democratic, accountable and transparent than those in Ottawa and the provinces.

And that is not necessarily because some of those nations have a version of proportional representation (which four in 10 British Columbians chose in last fall’s referendum). There is little doubt that proportional representation, as the name suggests, provides voters with fairer “representation” and leads to more collaboration between parties.

But there is another rarely discussed aspect of Canada’s federal and provincial political system that needs reform, because it also renders our governments unusually weak in regards to democratic values. And that is party discipline, particularly the “whip system.”