CREDIT: DEREK AUDETTE / HEMERA / THINKSTOCK
The three leading political parties, Conservatives, Liberals and the NDP, all hold differentiating views, but people need to be informed to make an informed decision.

With Election Day creeping closer, deciding whom to vote for can be a difficult decision.

The incumbent typically has a political track record indicative of their skillset and priorities, while the challengers often don't.

With the exception of some colourful personalities, federal politicians are rarely involved in scandals, the likes of which are seen in municipal politics or, in recent history, the Senate.

Fanshawe College, and a substantial portion of the student body, resides in the federal riding of London North-Centre. Conservative Member of Parliament, Susan Truppe, was elected to represent the area in the 2011 election that gave Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, a majority government. She narrowly defeated former MP Glen Pearson who had won the seat in 2008. Truppe is currently the Parliamentary Secretary for the Status of Women and has worked extensively with local women's shelters and support agencies. After three decades working for a London hotel, Truppe turned to a career in the public service.

Running in opposition for London North-Centre is Liberal candidate, Peter Fragiskatos. Fragiskatos has been in the news recently after his Adelaide St. office was vandalized and covered with anti-Harper messages.

As a professor of Political Science at King's University College, Fragiskatos is likely to be in tune with the concerns of the younger generation of voters. According to the infallible metric employed by the website ratemyprofessors. com, he “genuinely cares”, is “very helpful” and was “incredibly fair and understanding” when a student's computer was destroyed by a flood. While his flood policy probably won't relate to his political career, it may give chronic procrastinators some ideas.

The NDP candidate for the riding is German Gutierrez, a professor of Language and Liberal Studies at Fanshawe College. He's been recognized as an exceptional advocate to recent immigrants by both the provincial and federal governments.

His volunteer credentials are endless and indicative of an individual who is deeply involved in the community, particularly in the realm of immigration and education.

All three candidates have exemplary records of public service. Truppe has been involved with a plethora of local charities that support women, Fragiskatos has volunteered at the London Food Bank, coincidently operated by the former MP for London North-Centre and Gutierrez has served on the board of Museum London and the London Public Library.

It's terrific that voters have a collection of candidates who are committed members of community organizations that work to improve the lives of everyone in the city. Candidates from both the Green Party and the Libertarian Party are also running in the election, but lack the funding or recognition to be serious contenders.

When it comes to a federal election, it can be difficult to separate the local candidate running for office from the party leader who will take up residence at 24 Sussex Drive. When choosing whom to vote for, it's important to consider which candidate's values resonate with you and then take the views of their party leader into consideration as well. Most importantly, take the time to make an educated decision because unlike your major, you can't change your mind.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.