The provincial sections are not beholden to the federal party on policy matters; nor is the federal party beholden to provincial sections. Both have the right to take positions in their areas of jurisdiction.

 Not every New Democrat, nor every progressive, is convinced that proportional representation is necessary or desirable in all jurisdictions. I happen to believe that it makes far more sense in the federal context than it does in smaller jurisdictions like, for example, Nova Scotia or Saskatchewan.

Regardless, the provincial sections, and provincial leaders, are not junior partners answerable to their federal cousins.