Bruce Lowell Stewart

STEWART, BRUCE LOWELL, teacher, fuel oil salesperson, fisher, town councillor, and mayor; b. 5 October 1916 in Murray Harbour, son of John Ernest Stewart and Alfreda Jordan; m. 6 June 1941 Florence Christetie MacDonald, and they had three children, Joan Alfreda, Alan Bruce, and David Gordon; Baptist; d. 5 May 1991 in Souris. Stewart, a Liberal, was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1966 for 1st Kings. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1970 and 1974. On 7 February 1969, he was appointed Minister of Health. From 1969 to 1970, he served as Minister of Municipal Affairs, and served as Minister of Industry and Commerce from 1 June 1970 to 1971. Stewart was Minister of Fisheries from 1 June 1970 to 1972, and Minister of Labour from 24 September 1970 to 2 May 1974. On 10 October 1972, he became Minister of Social Services and Minister of Health, and he served in those Ministries until 2 May 1974, on which date Stewart was named Minister of Public Works and Minister of Highways. He served in this position until the fall of 1976, when he became ill. After an eight-month recovery period, in April 1977 Stewart returned to the Ministry of Public Works and remained there until 27 April 1978. He indicated that poor health and his doctor's advice dictated his decision to retire from politics in 1978. Stewart's victory in 1966 occurred in a special election for 1st Kings held following the general election on 30 May. William A. Acorn* had won the Liberal nomination for 1st Kings for the general election, but died during the campaign. As a result of his death, the vote for councillor and assemblyman for f Kings was deferred until 11 July 1966. The Liberals won both seats and formed the government with a total of 17 seats to the Conservatives' 15 seats. Stewart considered four initiatives in particular as his most significant contributions as a public servant. While he served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, the Souris area benefitted from the establishment of the Eastern Kings Regional Services Centre, the introduction of the Magdalen Islands ferry service, the construction of a million-dollar wharf on the Souris waterfront, as well as the construction of Colville Manor nursing home. Stewart was also a councillor and mayor for the town of Souris. His fondest memory in politics was the role he played in implementing Medicare in the province. Stewart received his primary education at the Murray Harbour School. From 1933 to 1934, he attended Prince of Wales College and received a teacher's license. Later he studied at McGill University. Stewart began his working life as a teacher and taught for six years. He also worked as an agent for Imperial Oil and as a fisher. Stewart spent some time in the service of the military. Beyond politics, Stewart was involved in a number of community activities. He served as president of the Souris Branch Royal Canadian Legion and as provincial chairman and Dominion representative of the Royal Canadian Legion. Stewart was a board member of the Protestant Children's Home, chairman of the Souris Hospital Board, and president of the organization known later as the Association for Community Living. During the celebrations of the 70th Anniversary of the Town of Souris, Stewart served as chair of the organizing committee. He was also a member of the board of directors of the United Way. Bruce Stewart died 5 May 1991 in the Souris Hospital. Florence Stewart, the daughter of Alan Neil MacDonald, was born in Heatherdale.