Every four years or so we get to exercise an inalienable democratic right by choosing our elected representatives in Ottawa.

For the past five weeks, and for many months before that as the inevitable “permanent campaign” of the federal parties vied for our attention, we have heard promises, accusations, promises, criticisms of one party or leader by another, more promises and – you get the picture.

Now it is up to you.

In the public sphere – and that includes the social media world in which information, disinformation and fake news are all widely traded, usually with no critical lens applied – there is a plethora of informaton all trying to grab your attention and inspire you to support one side or another.

It’s not an overreach to suggest that as each election comes along it gets harder and harder for ordinary folks who are unafiliated with one party or another to determine who is the best choice for our riding and our country. 

The amount of information circulating and seeking our attention is astonishing – and the avalanche of one-sided, erroneous, fake, intentionally deceptive disinformation even moreso.

It really seems to be getting more difficult with each passing electoral mandate for ordinary folks to parse the Truth from among all the “truths” bandied about by all sides in the deluge of electoral discussion.

What is an individual to do? There is no easy answer.

Thankfully, there have been a few opportunities to meet candidates in person at all-candidate meetings in the riding of Niagara Falls, which includes NOTL and Fort Erie. And all our local riding’s hopefuls have been busy knocking on doors trying to spread their message.

But that is just a start for voters. If you are still undecided about whom to support on Monday, please take the time to read each local candidate’s literature, view the platforms of the various federal parties, and think critically about what each is saying or promising. 

It’s far from a perfect system, but it remains the best one we’ve got. If you have not already cast an advance ballot, then between now and Monday, educate yourself and dispassionately analyze the candidate platforms so you arrive at the ballot box as an informed voter.

Vote for whomever you wish, but please do vote. You owe it to yourself and to your country.

editor@niagaranow.com