For more than a decade, the Honourable Jim Watson initiated and helped bring to fruition many significant and positive changes for and in remembrance of Veterans within the city of Ottawa. Most notably, he established the Veterans Task Force, various commemorative naming initiatives and assisted in establishing housing for homeless Veterans.
Caring for the needs of Veterans has always been a priority and a cause close to Jim’s heart. In 2020 as Mayor of Ottawa, Jim launched the Veterans Task Force which assists in supporting the needs of Veterans in the city. He was able to use his platform as Mayor to promote the project and connect with organizations within the community such as The Royal Canadian Legion, Wounded Warriors and Soldiers Helping Soldiers. The program supports health, housing and second career opportunities for Veterans and advocates for Veterans and their families, particularly those not supported by federal government programs. Similarly, Jim was also a stakeholder involved with the establishment of Veteran’s House located at the former Canadian Forces Base Rockcliffe. The project, which was fast-tracked because of the COVID-19 pandemic, created available housing and funding for Veterans experiencing homelessness in Ottawa. The project created 40 new homes for Veterans and offered increased access to support services that help address mental health and addiction. The project provided Veterans with an indoor gym, communal kitchen, BBQ facilities, and a dog park for service dogs.
Jim is also passionate about commemorating and honouring Veterans. During his years of service as Mayor, Jim granted permission for the Governor General’s Foot Guards to exercise Freedom of the City to mark sesquicentennial celebrations of their founding in 1872. The symbolic designation is a rare occurrence, and allows the unit to march through the streets with drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed. He also advocated and was successful in the naming or re-naming of bridges and streets to recognize and honour the sacrifices of Canada’s fallen heroes. In 2014, Jim promoted the re-naming of the Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge to the Vimy Memorial Bridge to recognize the sacrifices made in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. In 2019, Jim recognized the accomplishments of Canadian soldiers in the Battle of Normandy by re-naming the Airport Parkway Bridge to Juno Beach Memorial Bridge.
For 12 years, Jim honoured Veterans with commemorative street naming in the city of Ottawa. Some of these streets include: Rue des Soldat-Riendeau Street, Promenade Jerome Jodoin Drive, Croissant Barry Helman Crescent, Voie Helen Rapp Way, Avenue Ralph Hennessy Avenue, Voie Eric Maloney Way, Rue Stuart Kettles Street, Michael Stoqua Street and Moses Tennisco Street, Rue Hannam Bud Street and Rue David Wiens Street.
Jim worked hard to honour and care for current Veterans and fallen Veterans within the city of Ottawa. He continues to volunteer and advocate for Veterans.