Lately, I've been questioning the validity of the news I read and the content algorithms on social media. Without varied perspectives, I'm starting to wonder if I might be living in an echo chamber.

With the federal election on April 28 approaching, I have found some resources that might interest you as you prepare to vote, giving you the perspective to question the truth behind some of the statements coming out in the media:

• Vantage Point Webinar: Check out "A New Political Landscape: Government Relations for Non-Profits in BC," by conservative strategist Kareem M. Allam from the Richardson Strategy Group in February. Mr. Allam talks about the challenges of coalition political parties and how quickly situations can change. You can watch the webinar here.
   
• Storm the Ballot Box: This book by Jo-Ann Roberts offers a behind-the-scenes look at her campaign on the NDP ticket during the 2015 federal election. It's a fascinating glimpse into election politics, providing a deeper understanding of the process and how one legacy post can dash a candidate's position, with fallout felt by all in the riding.
   
• CBC News: CBC has released a video detailing their fact-checking process, which you can view here. I'm surprised by the efforts to test and track assertions on all media platforms.
   
• Government of Canada: Offers excellent resources on spotting disinformation and recommends fact-checking sites like MediaSmarts, AFP Fact Check, and Snopes. It's fun to see debunked assertions.

As we head towards the election, I'm trying to sift through all the noise myself—it's a jungle out there! Staying on top of things in our ever-shifting media landscape is important. Feel free to check out these resources and others. With a bit of curiosity and a healthy dose of skepticism, we can hopefully make sense of it all and ensure our decisions reflect our true intentions.

ASPECT is and continues to be an apolitical organization. It has a history of working with all governments and perspectives, representing the diversity of its members.

Janet Morris-Reade, CEO
ASPECT BC