About me

In the News

Stories featuring Jay Sidhu's community involvement in West Vancouver.

Select Journalism

Some of Jay's reporting on Canadian and global issues, including features and interviews.

Professional background

Born and raised in England, I studied sciences before working as an English teacher in Belgium and India, and then embarking on a career with the UK's public service broadcaster, the BBC.

I spent more than 20 years reporting the news — online, on radio and on television. I worked primarily on high profile UK national news shows including The Today Programme, covering politics and global affairs, but also on international services with the BBC World news channel, BBC World Service radio and language services, where I launched a TV channel for South Asia.

I've worked in foreign news bureaux including Jerusalem, Delhi, Islamabad, Brussels, and Cairo, and traveled for special assignments such as Nelson Mandela's funeral, a coup d'etat in Egypt, Athens Olympics, and Mumbai Taj Hotel attacks.

Jay Sidhu in Scout uniform with three young Scouts

Volunteering and community involvement

While in London I volunteered for a variety of roles in the UK including as a Scout Leader, and on the public oversight committee for London's Pentonville Prison.

After we moved to Canada I spent much of my time supporting my wife and kids settle in, while working as a freelance reporter.

I was keen to give back to the community by volunteering with our outstanding library, community centre, and school district. I was also grateful to be able to use my communications experience to support the District's engagement efforts.

Volunteer work

Engagement Chair & Board Member, West Vancouver Memorial Library (2020-22).
Member, Community Engagement Committee, West Vancouver Council (2021-23).
Director, Enhance West Van (West Van Community Centre, 2021-25).
Traffic & Safety Representative, West Vancouver DPAC (District Parent Advisory Council, 2022-24).
Chair/ volunteer, India Pavilion, Bridge Festival / WV Community Cultural Festival (2022-).
Event Director, Ambleside parkrun (2022-).

Jay Sidhu in a parkrun Run Director vest beside a cake marking 150 Ambleside parkruns

Community leadership in West Vancouver

The volunteer work I'm proudest of is as the founder and Event Director of Ambleside parkrun, a free, volunteer-run community 5km run/walk which has been taking place every Saturday morning — come rain or shine — since July 2022. It is a positive, even joyful event, which builds community while also bringing many visitors to West Van.

In late 2023 I was asked by Jeremy Valeriote, the BC Green candidate for MLA in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, to be his campaign manager. And in October the following year he became the first Green on the mainland to be elected to the BC Legislature. Since the election I have been Jeremy's Constituency Office Manager, working with a small team to address concerns raised by communities from Eagle Harbour and Bowen Island, the Sea to Sky corridor, and all the way up to Mount Currie and D'Arcy.

Jay Sidhu with a sea kayak on a West Vancouver beach

In my spare time I enjoy hiking the North Shore mountains, road biking, kayaking, and skiing. I'm also an incorrigible marathon runner (which means I say 'never again', until I forget how painful the last one was).