Richard Zussman, a familiar face on television for several news organizations over the years, has entered the political ring. He is running for the BC NDP in the Greater Victoria riding of Saanich South, a seat vacated by Lana Popham, who has represented the area since 2009 and recently served as minister of agriculture.
“As a journalist, I reported on the struggles people faced, and hoped their stories would lead to change. I hope, as an MLA, I can hear even more stories and actually put in place the policies and laws to make those changes,” Zussman told the Independent, adding, “the BC NDP has always put people at the centre of all decision-making and I am inspired by the idea that an elected official can make life better for the people of this province.”
Zussman was raised in a home that focused on the cultural aspects of both Judaism and Christianity. His father was raised in a Jewish household in Montreal, while his mother grew up in a Christian household in Vancouver.
“I have early childhood memories of celebrating Passover and other Jewish holidays with my grandparents in Montreal,” he said. “These gatherings are some of my earliest memories, contributing to my profound sense of community and lifting others up around you. We also celebrated the holidays with families like ours, [in which] part of the family grew up Jewish, the other part didn’t.”
Zussman still gathers for holiday celebrations, including for Passover and Hanukkah, with his children and others.
The assassination of Yitzhak Rabin in 1995 was a significant moment for Zussman and his connection to Israel and Judaism outside of holidays. He wrote a speech for a Grade 8 public speaking contest about the slain Israeli leader.
“The speech focused on his life and the work he had done in an attempt to bring peace to the Middle East,” Zussman recalled. “It was my first real understanding of political violence, the risk of standing up for what you believe in and the value of advocating on behalf of your community.”
In his roles as a son, father, journalist and political candidate, Zussman said he has always been guided by the beliefs in Judaism around a responsibility to improve society and address injustice.
“I also believe in tzedakah, the idea that people have an ethical responsibility to help those in need,” he said. “I have been blessed with opportunity throughout my life, and I have tried to ensure I lift up those around me, be it with support, knowledge or opportunity. When I was in high school, my father and I attended the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC. It established for me a sense of remembering our collective history and passing it on.”
On Oct. 7, 2023, Zussman reported from the legislature for Global BC. “I heard from so many in the Jewish community … about not feeling secure in the province and I reported about the rise in antisemitism in British Columbia following the events,” he said. “No matter who you are, everyone should feel safe living in this province, and we tried at Global BC to ensure the public understood the toll the events of that day took on the Jewish community.”
The distinction between criticism of Israel and antisemitism is often misunderstood, Zussman said, pointing out that one can disagree with the decisions made by any government, including the Israeli government, without casting broad conclusions on a group of people.
“If you cannot be compassionate and caring towards the Jewish people in our community, then your opinions are biased against Jewish people,” he said.
On the subject of antisemitism and politicized discussions of Israel at schools and universities, Zussman said, “I am proud of the work members of the community and Selina Robinson did to ensure the BC NDP government committed in 2023 to make Holocaust education mandatory for Grade 10 students in the province. The BC NDP will continue to work with school districts and post-secondary institutions to support safe learning environments for Jewish students.”
He noted that there is a feeling in the Jewish community that antisemitism is too often marginalized in anti-racism work.
“I am supportive of training and other opportunities that sensitize members of the public service, elected representatives and other professionals to learn about antisemitism,” he said. “This is increasingly more important now given the rise of reported anti-Jewish hate.”
As a journalist, Zussman said, “I prided myself as a listener. If I earn the votes of the people of Saanich South, I hope to do the same as an MLA. I will be open to hearing from all voices in the Jewish community about their perspectives and commit to bringing those voices forward.”
Zussman’s broadcasting career includes work at Citytv Edmonton, CityNews Vancouver, CBC and, most recently, Global BC. An avid curler, he serves on the board of the Victoria Curling Club, as well as on the board of Lakehill Baseball and Fastball in Saanich. He has served as lieutenant governor of the BC Youth Parliament, promoting youth civic engagement.
Sam Margolis has written for the Globe and Mail, the National Post, UPI and MSNBC.
