Jim Watson (Canadian politician)
| Jim Watson | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
Then-MPP Jim Watson speaking at the 2009 Ottawa Folk Festival
|
|
| Mayor of Ottawa | |
|
Assumed office December 1, 2010 |
|
| Preceded by | Larry O'Brien |
|
In office 1997–2000 |
|
| Preceded by | Jacquelin Holzman |
| Succeeded by | Allan Higdon (interim) |
| Ontario MPP | |
|
In office 2003–2010 |
|
| Preceded by | Garry Guzzo |
| Succeeded by | Bob Chiarelli |
| Constituency | Ottawa West—Nepean |
| Ottawa City Councillor | |
|
In office 1992–1997 |
|
| Preceded by | Lynn Smyth |
| Succeeded by | Inez Berg |
| Constituency | Capital Ward |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Alexander Watson July 30, 1961 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Political party | Ontario Liberal Party |
James Alexander "Jim" Watson (born July 30, 1961) is the current mayor of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He is a former Ottawa city councillor (1991–1997) and mayor (1997–2000), and subsequently represented the riding of Ottawa West—Nepean in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 2003 to 2010. He was a Minister in the Cabinet of Premier Dalton McGuinty until he resigned in January 2010 to successfully run for mayor in the 2010 Ottawa municipal election. He was re-elected mayor 27 October 2014.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, Watson grew up in Lachute and attended Laurentian Regional High School from 1974-1978. He later moved to Ottawa to attend Carleton University and graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Public Affairs degree from the School of Journalism and Communications. He entered the federal public service and rose to the position of director of communications for the Speaker of the House of Commons.
Jim Watson first entered public office in 1991 when he was elected to Ottawa’s City Council as councilor for Capital Ward. He was subsequently re-elected to Council in 1994. In 1992 Watson championed a roll-back of salaries and operating costs at the city level. His first direct action against excessive city spending was his unilateral decision to donate his yearly 2% salary increase, totaling $700, to charity. In addition, as part of the re-election process Watson donated his severance pay of $5200 to four local charities after moving from Regional to City Council in 1994. During his second term as Councilor, Watson reduced his own salary by 13% from $51,000 to $45,000 while voting to reduce the mayor’s office budget and salary. In 1996, he supported Dalton McGuinty's bid to lead the Ontario Liberal party.
...
Wikipedia