Jim Watson is officially running for mayor.
The former mayor of pre-amalgamated Ottawa resigned as the MPP for Ottawa West–Nepean yesterday morning before filing his nomination papers at the city client service centre in Orleans at 11 a.m.
Watson said he will use the next couple of months to consult with residents and put together a platform.
He would not make any promises about property taxes. He said the public understands that the city’s expenses will go up, but it takes good leadership to ensure that those costs are contained to limit any tax increase.
Watson said he’s received very encouraging feedback from residents.
“They like the fact the I have experience, inside and outside of city hall, that I have run three ministries and that I do have a track record of being not over-the-top partisan.”
In the ward races, Bruce Chrustie is the second candidate to run in Rideau-Goulbourn. The seat is currently held by Glenn Brooks.
