Jim Watson (Canadian politician)

Jim Watson
Watson in 2013
56th Mayor of Ottawa
In office
December 1, 2010 – November 15, 2022
Preceded byLarry O'Brien
Succeeded byMark Sutcliffe
In office
1997–2000
Preceded byJacquelin Holzman
Succeeded byAllan Higdon (interim)
Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa West—Nepean
In office
October 2, 2003 – February 1, 2010
Preceded byGarry Guzzo
Succeeded byBob Chiarelli
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
In office
October 30, 2007 – January 12, 2010
PremierDalton McGuinty
Preceded byJohn Gerretsen
Succeeded byJohn Gerretsen
Ottawa City Councillor
In office
1991–1997
Preceded byLynn Smyth
Succeeded byInez Berg
ConstituencyCapital Ward
More...
Personal details
Born
James Alexander Watson

(1961-07-30) July 30, 1961 (age 63)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Political partyIndependent
Other political
affiliations
Ontario Liberal (2003–2010)
ResidenceWoodpark[1]
Occupation
  • Politician
  • reporter
Signature

James Alexander Watson (born July 30, 1961) is a Canadian politician who served as the 56th mayor of Ottawa from 2010 to 2022. Previously, he served as an Ottawa city councillor from 1991 to 1997, and as mayor from 1997 to 2000.

Watson subsequently represented the riding of Ottawa West—Nepean in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 2003 to 2010. He served in the Cabinet of Premier Dalton McGuinty in the portfolios of Consumer and Business Services (2003–2005), Health Promotion (2005–2007), and Municipal Affairs and Housing (2007–2010). He resigned in January 2010 to run for mayor in the 2010 Ottawa municipal election. He was re-elected mayor in 2014 and in 2018. On March 20, 2021, Watson became the longest serving mayor in the city's history, surpassing Stanley Lewis who held office from 1936 to 1948.[2]

  1. ^ "Search For Contributions". Elections Canada. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  2. ^ Egan, Kelly (March 17, 2021). "Egan: The longest Worship — Watson to set mayoral record this week". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved October 23, 2023.