There were three churches in his pastorate. There was Star of the Sea Church in Canso, St. Agnes Church in Little Dover and St. Vincent de Paul Church in Queensport. When he left twelve years later he almost thought of the area as his home.

The first impression that Father Jimmy had of the Canso area was one of desolation. The community, and outlying areas, consisted mostly of poor fisher folk and labourers. It was undoubtedly the poorest parish in the entire diocese. Poverty and malnutrition was widespread and these people accepted it. Worst of all, apathy towards their economic situation was evident everywhere.

In Canso, Father Jimmy finally found the right conditions in which to practice what he was advocating for so long. Get the people to educate themselves and have them improve not only their outlook on life but the deplorable conditions in which they lived for so long. He strongly believed that education and the establishment of co-operatives would do this. He was a supporter of the idea of co-operation and promoted co-ops and credit unions whenever he could.

Although Father Jimmy was located in one of the most isolated regions of the province, he was still able to maintain his old friendships and took an active role in the promotion of adult education elsewhere. In 1924 he was one of the seventy-two people who were asked to establish the American Association of Adult Education.

Back in Canso, Father Jimmy wanted to rally the people, to begin some sort of group action. However, before the people would be willing to do anything in masses, something had to happen. What was needed was a catalyst that would get the people to demand action.

Things finally came to a head on July 1, 1927, Dominion Day. Most of the fishermen were ashore that day. Father Jimmy happened upon a glum looking fisherman. He asked the fisherman why he wasn't partaking in the festivities. The fisherman retorted by asking what had he to be cheerful about. The fisherman then proceeded to complain about the problems the fishermen in the region suffered. Problems that Father Jimmy was well aware of.

The result of this meeting in the street led to a meeting that evening which was attended by most people in the Canso region. They circulated a petition which called for the federal government to investigate the fishery. This petition was supported by another which was signed by a number of priests from the diocese.

The 'Revolution in Canso' began to steamroll. The media soon joined the battle. The government couldn't ignore the Canso fishermen any longer. Within three months it set up a Royal Commission to study the fishery.

This commission found many problems evident in the fishery. It made a number of recommendations designed to correct these problems. One such recommendation was the establishment of community based fishery co-operatives. The government hired Father Jimmy's cousin, Father Moses M. Coady to organize the fishermen.

Father Jimmy's dreams were becoming realities. Soon co-operatives were springing up throughout the Maritimes. Not only were manufacturing co-operatives being established but co-operative stores and credit unions were coming into existence as well.

1928, saw another of Father Jimmy's dreams become a reality. For years he promoted the establishment of an extension department for St. Francis Xavier University. He argued that it would be a beneficial instrument in educating those people who were unable to go to the university to get an education. St. F.X. created an Extension Department and hired Father Coady as its first director, a post he was to hold until 1952.

Father Jimmy also supported the development of public libraries. The need for books was evident and he loaned out many of his own. In 1934, a public library was opened, the first of its kind in the area. Soon it boasted a circulation of over 1,000 books. Until his death Father Jimmy was to be an active participant in the promotion of regional public libraries.

Father Jimmy was able to assist the people of the Canso area in a way they couldn't imagine. He provided them with ideas and local people took leadership. Little Dover, located about five miles southeast of Canso, was one community which benefited greatly from his guidance. When he arrived in this small fishing community it was described as being so poor that it possessed only one cow that was able to produce milk. By the time he departed in 1934, this community possessed a co-operative store, a credit union and a debt free fishery co-operative which had a volume of business valued at 28,000 dollars. Keep in mind that the Great Depression was forcing many companies to go bankrupt at this time. A remarkable feat for the fishermen of Dover.

Father Jimmy accomplished many of the economic and social endeavors that he pursued in the Canso area. However, he also proved to be an able cleric. Other than his regular duties as parish priest he was able to promote a good religious spirit among the Catholic faithful. Soon after his arrival he was successful in working with the local women in establishing the Star of the Sea Catholic Women's League. He was its first spiritual director. When this organization was first developed there were seventeen charter members. Within a year membership had grown to approximately one hundred. A similar organization, known as the St. Anne's Society, was started in Little Dover. An organization for men, the Holy Name Society, was also started in both Canso and Little Dover, as well. These groups were to be of tremendous support to their parishes over the years.

A second, and even more important accomplishment of Father Jimmy in the religious affairs of the community was his success in persuading the Sisters of St. Martha in establishing a convent in Canso. He had been trying to get them to move to Canso for a number of years but was unsuccessful. The parish, and the Sisters, were both financially insecure and neither could provide funding for the move. It was with the generous support of Albert Sampson, a local baker, who donated two large buildings in 1932, that the Sisters were finally able to move to the community.

The Sisters of St. Martha took a pivotal role in the community affairs. They believed in many of the ideals of Father Jimmy and tried to assist him in his endeavors. One of their buildings not only provided housing for the Sisters but was also the site of the small public library established by Father Tompkins. In addition, study clubs and knitting/weaving clubs were started by the Sisters. In fact, over the years many of the Sisters worked as teachers in the area, especially in Little Dover.

In 1934, Father Jimmy became afflicted with a persistent aching throat which he attributed to the local climate. Moreover, he believed that the end of his tenure in Canso was near. He actually contemplated retirement. Whatever the reason, he wrote to Bishop Morrison requesting a new assignment. Although they had their differences in the past, the Bishop readily agreed. A short time later Father Jimmy received word of his appointment as chaplain of Bethany, Antigonish, the home of the Sisters of St. Martha.