ONTARIO'S ACTION PLAN

For Healthy Eating, Active Living

SMOKE-FREE ONTARIO

The Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy

HEALTHY EATING & ACTIVE LIVING CONFERENCE 2006

A summary of the program sessions and a selection of the speakers’ presentations will be posted here in the near future

COMMUNITIES IN ACTION FUND

Creating community level opportunities for physical activity

ACTIVE2010

Increase participation in sport and physical activity strategy

PAUSE TO PLAY

The web guide for kids who want to be active

COMMUNITY USE OF SCHOOLS

Making schools more accessible to their communities. Delivered by the Ministry of Education

JIM WATSON, MINISTER OF HEALTH PROMOTION

Photo of Jim Watson

Jim Watson was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in 2003 representing the riding of Ottawa West – Nepean.

Shortly thereafter, Mr. Watson was appointed Minister of Consumer and Business Services by Premier Dalton McGuinty. In this capacity, he was responsible for improving and modernizing Ontario’s Liquor License Act, Consumer Protection Act, and Film Classification Act. He also initiated “ServiceOntario”, a one-stop concept for government services and information.

In June 2005, Premier McGuinty appointed Mr. Watson as Ontario’s first Minister of Health Promotion. In this new and innovative portfolio he is responsible for advancing the government’s preventative health initiatives including healthy lifestyles, sport, physical activity, recreation, disease prevention and community health awareness.

Prior to his election, Mr. Watson served in several prominent elected and non-elected offices including: President and CEO of the Canadian Tourism Commission - a federal crown corporation from 2000-2003; Mayor of the City of Ottawa from 1997-2000; Ottawa City Councillor from 1991-1997; and as Director of Communications for the Speaker of the House of Commons.

An active member of his community, Mr. Watson has also served on the boards or as honourary chair of several community organizations, including the Riverside Hospital, the National Arts Centre, the Christmas Exchange of Ottawa and the Forum for Young Canadians. He served as chair of United Way’s 2002 campaign, which raised a record $21 million.

An avid volunteer with several groups, he has helped serve meals at the Shepherds of Good Hope, a local soup kitchen. His commitment to those less fortunate was evident when, in August of 2000, he contributed his entire municipal severance payment of $31,000 to Ottawa’s Union Mission for Men.

His years of active involvement and community service have made him the recipient of several awards and accolades, including Maclean’s magazine “100 Young Canadians To Watch”, Carleton University Honours Award, the City of Ottawa’s highest civic honour, the Key to the City and, in 2002, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal.

Mr. Watson is a graduate of the Carleton University School of Journalism and Communications. In his spare time he stays active by skiing, swimming, golfing, and walking.