We are proud to announce that Southwest Properties’ owner and Executive Chairman, Jim Spatz was appointed to the Order of Canada today, December 28th, 2023. Created in 1967, the Order of Canada, is one of the country’s highest civilian honours, and recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.
“It is a tremendous honour to have been nominated and appointed to the Order of Canada,” said Spatz. “I also celebrate the other new appointees who have made a difference within their communities and our country.”
Having arrived in Canada at just 11 months old, Jim is the son of immigrant parents, Simon and Riva, who survived the holocaust and were very thankful to be in Canada. “Growing up in a home where I was taught to be grateful to live in Canada created a strong desire to give back within the community.”
While the new members of the Order come from all sectors of society and their contributions vary, Jim was recognized for his volunteerism with different community organizations and projects. Jim has also helped to create a strong culture within his company, where employee values are strong and centred on helping make the community in which it operates a better place.
Jim is actively involved in several community activities. He chairs the Capital Campaign Council for the new Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and served on the Board of the Halifax Port Authority and is a Life Director of Neptune Theatre. He is also a member of the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee’s (CJPAC) Advisory Board.
Jim is a founding partner and Fellow of the Creative Destruction Lab Atlantic, the mentorship and investment organization for technology start-up ventures in the region. He also served on the Board of Governors of Dalhousie University, Atlantic Canada’s largest university, from 2001 – 2015, and was their Board Chair from 2008 – 2014. Jim sat on the Board of the Canadian Stem Cell Foundation and the National Executive Committee for the 2017 Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference, Canada’s most prestigious leadership development experience.
In 2007, Jim along with his late father, were inducted into the Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame. In 2013, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his significant achievements and contributions to the community and in May 2015, was named Atlantic Business Magazine’s CEO of the Year for Atlantic Canada. In 2018 he was awarded Canada’s Most Admired CEOs by Waterstone Human Capital and in 2019 Jim was awarded the Power of Humanity Award from the Nova Scotia Division of the Canadian Red Cross.
Jim has led Southwest Properties for the past 33 years. Before joining his father in business, he was a physician and practiced Family and then Emergency Medicine for 15 years.
Jim will receive his insignia at a ceremony in Rideau Hall at a later date.
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