The CTF has three pillars in our mission statement: “Lower Taxes. Less Waste. More Accountability.” This simple mission frames all of the advocacy work we do. Throughout the nation, we have a reputation as hard-nosed taxfighters. Waste stories are our bread and butter: we have broken literally hundreds and hundreds of government waste stories over the years.

But the third pillar, “More Accountability,” doesn’t get as much attention from the public as it should. Maybe concerns over transparency, access to information laws, and reforming voting systems aren’t sexy enough to gain and keep public attention. When we do an op/ed on Freedom of Information, for example, we are acutely aware of how “insider baseball” it feels – it’s a topic public policy wonks love, but is difficult to connect to the everyday taxpayer on its importance.

But for those of us concerned about more government accountability, a new documentary from B.C. journalist turned Alberta journalism professor Sean Holman is a must-see. Whipped: The Secret World of Party Discipline is a powerful look behind the curtain of how much power is being concentrated in premiers’ and the Prime Minister’s Office. Set in B.C., I assure you it applies to every legislature across this country. The CTF was proud to support Sean in making this documentary, and the result should push forward a national debate on how we can improve our democracy.

The film has been posted here by CPAC. Please: Watch it. Share it. Tell concerned Canadians about it. And help us make other Canadians just as concerned as we are about the state of our democracy.