Order of Ottawa recognizes community leaders, including former mayor Jim Watson

Former Ottawa mayor Jim Watson was among 15 people inducted into the Order of Ottawa Thursday night. CTV’s Shaun Vardon reports.

Fifteen people were inducted into the Order of Ottawa Thursday evening for contributions to life in the nation’s capital.

The civic award, established in 2012, celebrates and recognizes “exceptional citizens who have achieved the highest level of excellence and achievement in many fields of endeavour, have brought honour and prestige to themselves and made significant contributions to the community that benefit the citizens of Ottawa,” according to the city.

“It’s an honour for me to have the opportunity to present theses awards to these very distinguished individuals,” said Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.

Notable this year is former Ottawa mayor Jim Watson, who oversaw the establishment of the Order of Ottawa. Watson is the city’s longest-serving mayor, having helmed city council for 12 years between 2010 and 2022. He was also mayor from 1997 to 2000 prior to amalgamation, served as the MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean from 2003 to 2010 and was the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing under Premier Dalton McGuinty from 2007 to 2010.

“Pretty remarkable and humbling when you see the depth and breadth of the service that they’ve given back to the community, whether it’s on a voluntary basis or a professional basis,” Watson said. “Again, I think it hopefully will inspire others to go out and do a little bit more, especially during these troubling economic times.”

He also oversaw the launch of O-Train Line 1, which experienced numerous problems in its early days and is still not running at the level residents were promised. In 2022, he apologized for the line’s failures following a scathing report into the launch of Stage 1 of LRT, which described persistent failures in leadership and “egregious violations of the public trust.”

Speaking to reporters following Wednesday’s city council meeting, Sutcliffe said Watson’s induction to the Order of Ottawa should not be a surprise.

“I don’t think anybody would be surprised that the longest serving mayor in our city’s history would be the recipient of the Order of Ottawa,” he said.

Sutcliffe said he does not endorse everything Watson did as mayor.

“I’ve known Jim Watson a long time. We don’t agree on everything. I don’t necessarily endorse everything he did as mayor, but he’s the longest serving mayor in our city’s history,” he said. “He’s contributed to the city in many different ways as not just mayor, but as a member of provincial parliament and a cabinet minister, as a volunteer. He clearly loves the city, cares about it. He’s had a distinguished career.”

The other 14 people who were inducted into the Order of Ottawa Thursday night are:

Patrick Newton Bondo, co-founder of Outreach Social Care Foundation, a Black-led, Black-serving, and Black-focused grassroots not-for-profit organization.

Kenneth Campbell, president of JaKu Konbit, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Ottawa’s African, Caribbean, and Black communities through cultural celebration, education, and youth engagement.

Holly Ellingwood, PhD, a transgender rights and disability rights advocate and founder of Orléans Pride.

Mike McGahan, president of CLV Group and founder of the CLV Group Charity Golf Tournament.

Michael McLellan, interim Vice-Rector of Governance and Secretary General at Saint Paul University.

Dr. Louise McNaughton-Filion, Regional Supervising Coroner.

Wyatt McWilliams, local farmer and founder of Food Aid, which has provided 1 million pounds of beef to the Ottawa Food Bank.

“It’s pretty humbling but it’s an opportunity to thank family and friends for all the help that everybody gives me,” McWilliams said. “This city of Ottawa, it’s just amazing place to live and I feel blessed.”

Patrick Moore, a carpenter who founded the Professional School of Practical Stereotomy.

Suzanne Obiorah, CEO of the Somerset West Community Health Centre.

Jo-Anne Polak, former Ottawa Rough Riders General Manager and the first woman to be GM of a professional sports team in North America.

“Look at a lot of the stories that were honoured here tonight because a lot of those stories I did not know and shame on me because there really are some extraordinary people in this town,” Polak said. “I’m so glad that the mayor and city council and the city of Ottawa were able to tell their stories.”

Tahawar Rana, a long-standing volunteer and president at Masjid Bilal, the Islamic Society of Cumberland.

Carole Saad, founder of Chic+Swell Event Designers and LouLou Lounge Furniture Rentals.

Bernadette Sarazin, co-founder of Etika Privacy and Brio Strategies

Christine Trauttmansdorff, retired Executive Director of Volunteer Ottawa.

Also honoured Thursday was Courtney Rego, director of coaching with the Capital City Condors, who will be receiving the Brian Kilrea Award for Excellence in Coaching.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Shaun Vardon

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