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Former broadcast journalist Jas Johal, who most recently served as the director of communications for the B.C. LNG Alliance, has been recruited by the B.C. Liberals to run in next year’s provincial election. Submitted [PNG Merlin Archive]
Former broadcast journalist Jas Johal, who most recently served as the director of communications for the B.C. LNG Alliance, has been recruited by the B.C. Liberals to run in next year’s provincial election.
Johal, whose domestic and international reporting career with Global TV spanned two-decades, will be named Wednesday the B.C. Liberal Party’s candidate for the new riding of Richmond-Queensborough.
His candidacy is another high-profile get for the Liberals and provides momentum heading into this weekend’s party convention in Vancouver.
Last week, the party announced that prominent business leader Tracy Redies, the former CEO of Coastal Capital Savings, would run in Surrey-White Rock.
Johal, 46, said running for public office was something he has always considered pursuing.
However, it wasn’t until he stepped away from journalism in 2014, and was later approached by the B.C. Liberal Party, that he seriously entertained the idea of entering politics.
“I know politics is incredibly tough — I have reported on it,” said Johal. “But I felt that at this time in my life, I have the energy for it, and I feel that I have something to contribute.”
As a reporter, Johal focused primarily on business and politics. His resume includes stints as Global’s Beijing-based Asia Bureau Chief and also as the network’s South Asia Bureau Chief, based in Delhi.
He joined the B.C. LNG Alliance in 2014, a position he quit last month.
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Bob Mackin broke this story a month ago.
http://bobmackin.ca/?p=3429
It’s also nice to see that a journalist’s integrity is always for sale.
Gosh.
What a shock.
Whoever could have seen this coming?
It used to be the other way around: defeated, disgraced or weary politicians tapped by (usually radio) media owners to sit behind a microphone and pontificate for beaucoup dollars.
Got to hand it to Jas…best to jump into the pool ahead of the hordes of former colleagues getting pink-slipped and looking for career alternatives.
It does beg the question: Just how committed to muckracking are journalists at major Vancouver media? Are they pulling their punches when it comes to covering Christy and the gang? Too bad Harvey Oberfeld is away for another month. I’m sure he’d have some pertinent observations.
Time to drain the Liberal Swamp!
Saw it announced on Global BC. It’s good to see who Global BC backs in the next election. Dont usually hear of news stations announcing who is nominated to fun in a constiency unless it benefits them.
oh noo… come on Jas Johal! I thought you had more to you then that!!