A familiar face to TV news viewers will be representing the BC Liberals in the newly formed riding of Richmond-Queensborough in next May’s provincial elections.
On Wednesday, former Global TV news reporter Jas Johal was officially appointed the party’s candidate in the area that represents constituents from east Richmond and New Westminster.
The Tsawwassen resident told the News he decided to enter the political fray because he felt the timing was right for him to give back to the community through serving the public.
“It’s always been something at the back of my mind for many years,” said the award-winning reporter. “I enjoyed my job as a journalist, but along the way I felt the need to be involved in public life.”
Johal, 46, who left journalism in 2014 to be a spokesman for the B.C. LNG Alliance, added that he felt he was still young enough to possess the energy to contribute. Plus he felt there was a debt, of sorts, to pay.
“I used to get pulled out of Grade 1 because my English wasn’t very good,” said Johal, who came to Canada from India with his family when he was two-years-old. “My dad was a lumber grader in a sawmill, where the tax base from that industry provided the great education and healthcare systems that come from a strong economy.
“And I’ve made a living off words for 23 years as a journalist, which wouldn’t have happened if my teacher in Grade 1 hadn’t helped me with my English,” he said. “So, I’ve thought that somewhere along the way I should say thank you and put my name forward for public life, And after all these years there was an opportunity to do so.”
Johal said he aligned himself with the BC Liberals because he feels they strike a healthy balance in terms of jobs, the economy, environment and education.
Asked if he was comfortable in being part of a process to appoint a candidate, rather than to face competition in a vote to be the BC Liberal’s choice in Richmond-Queensborough, Johal said it was a matter for the party brass to broach.
“The party came to me and I had to think about wanting to run,” he said. “It’s a process the party has set up and the premier has said she wants a wide variety of experience and a true reflection of 21st century British Columbia,” he said.
“All I can tell you is that they asked, and I decided to move forward with this.”
As for living outside of the new riding, Johal said he didn’t see that as a hindrance in representing constituents from two cities.
“I’ve covered many stories as a journalist in Richmond for more than 23 years,” he said, adding his experience as a TV news bureau chief in China and India has also given him experience with the ethnic population that is represented in the riding.
On where he stands on the Massey Tunnel Replacement Project, Johal said the route is a vital artery to moving commuters and goods in the Lower Mainland.
“Not only for the average commuter, but also we are a gateway to Canada and Asia in regards to our port and it’s important that we continue to move goods and services quickly,” he said. “Having said that, I think we do need to listen to communities and their concerns and help communicate those issues that are raised.”
BC voters go to the polls on May 9. So far, the BC NDP has yet to make official announcements on candidates in Richmond’s four ridings.
