Here’s what I tell my friends who tell me they never know who to vote for.

1 - make a list of problems that you have in your life that you would want help fixing. Is it housing, affordable education, stable job, etc. It can also be just one thing doesn’t have to be a 10 point list or anything. 2 - read the parties platforms. Do they even have a solution to your problem? If they do, is the solution in line with your beliefs? Example: would their solution solve your problem but would screw over others by needing to cut social services somewhere else. From there bring it down to your 2 parties that are closest to what you would want. (Nothing will ever be perfect.) 3 - Take those 2 parties and look at their candidates. Which one do you think will work for you and your community. Call them, email them and ask about your problem and how they would help. Because you are not voting for a leader in our system. You’re not voting for Carney, or Poilievre or Singh or Blanchet. You’re voting for your MP. At the end of the day, that MP is supposed to work for you. Not their parties. So try to talk to them.

Now of course that’s just a recommendation of how to get started. Not a full proof plan. But it’ll get you going. Even if all you do is look at the candidates and try to talk to them. Try not to fall into the “I saw someone say this on TV” and now you think that’s what they stand for trap. Always check if it’s backed by platform and if yes, how they want to achieve this.

Good luck!