Jim Watson made history as Ottawa’s first openly gay mayor. It is worth revisiting his journey and assessing how well he fulfilled the promises he made to voters. Ottawa Yes explores more on this topic.
Political Career
Watson’s political career began in 1991 when he was elected as a city councillor. Seven years later, he became the mayor of Ottawa, making history as the youngest person to hold that position at the time—he was just 36 years old.
In 2000, Watson temporarily left politics to work in the tourism industry. However, he soon found his way back, working in the cabinet of Dalton McGuinty, the former Liberal premier of Ontario.
In 2010, Watson returned to the role of Ottawa’s mayor. In total, he served in this position for 15 years, making him the longest-serving mayor in the city’s history.
What Jim Watson Is Most Proud Of
In numerous interviews, Watson has been asked about his proudest achievements as mayor. Here are some key accomplishments:
- The establishment of an incubator space for local startups.
- The opening of a new municipal art gallery.
- Laying the groundwork for the future central library – Ādisōke (full name: Anishinaabemowin, meaning “storytelling”), a joint project between the Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada.
- The introduction of the Stadler FLIRT rapid train through downtown Ottawa.
- His decision to reject the establishment of a casino in downtown Ottawa, instead designating the Rideau Carleton Raceway as the “only acceptable location for an expanded gaming facility in the city.”
The End of the Jim Watson Era
In many interviews, Watson stated that he had no intention of running for re-election. He expressed gratitude and pride for his years in office. Here are some defining moments in his tenure that helped voters continually support him:
- The Lansdowne Park Redevelopment: A $300 million project that transformed the area into a bustling space filled with shops, restaurants, a new football team, and more sporting events. The park also saw increased greenery and tree planting. Previously, the area had been a landfill before being transformed into a major urban renewal project in the city’s core.
- Ottawa’s 150th Anniversary Celebrations in 2017: Watson played a significant role in marking Canada’s sesquicentennial. Over 750,000 people watched the 12-meter-tall mechanical creatures roam the streets, and the city hosted the Juno Awards. As a result, Ottawa-Gatineau became Canada’s leading region for tourism growth in 2017.
- LRT Network – The Ups and Downs: Watson championed a $2.1 billion light rail transit project, which was expected to revolutionize transportation in Ottawa. By 2019, ticketing stations were operational, and Watson hailed it as “the future of transit” in the city. However, the project faced significant technical issues that later attracted criticism.
- Freedom Convoy Protests: When downtown Ottawa was occupied by protesters opposing COVID-19 measures, the city faced challenges in managing the crisis. The event exposed certain weaknesses in the city council’s handling of emergencies.
- Coming Out in 2019: In a 2019 Ottawa Citizen column, Watson publicly came out as gay, stating that he had known since his teenage years. For years, his sexual orientation was a subject of public discussion, but he expressed no regrets about finally coming out. He noted that over 95% of the reactions he received were positive, and he hoped his openness would help others in similar situations.
Overall, Jim Watson made a lasting impact on Ottawa despite the highs and lows of his tenure. Residents remember him from different perspectives, but many acknowledged his strong presence in the community, as he attended even the smallest local events. Watson himself has stated that being with the community is one of the most important duties of a mayor.
