Born and raised in Middlesex County, Ontario, Bill Stewart is recognized throughout Canada as having had a profound influence on the agricultural industry.

Throughout his life, Bill has always been actively involved in his community as a member of Middlesex Junior Farmers, founding member of Middlesex Chamber of Agriculture, establishing TB testing of all cattle in Middlesex and hosting the first Farm Radio Forum in Middlesex in his home.

First elected as a Member of the Provincial Parliament in 1957, Mr. Stewart represented the constituency of Middlesex North until his retirement in 1975. After serving as chairman of several committees, he was appointed Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture in 1961.

Among his many accomplishments, Bill Stewart’s most far-reaching achievement was the creation and passage of The Milk Act of Ontario 1965, establishing the Ontario Milk Marketing Board. He introduced a proposal for supply management in the feather industry at the Ministers of Agriculture Conference in 1968. Also, while Minister, Mr. Stewart established the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario, Ontario Food Council, Ontario Farm Machinery Board, and Veterinary Assistance Policy for Northern Ontario, in addition to many other important programs and policies. As MPP, he succeeded in having the Ontario government build the Lake Huron-to-London water pipeline.

Since 1976, Mr. Stewart has been appointed to directorships of several companies, as well as life director of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. He is currently chancellor of the University of Guelph, and a member of the Sectoral Advisory Group on International Trade.

In recognition of his contributions to agriculture, Bill has received numerous awards. He was conferred the Honourary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Guelph in 1976, and from the University of Western Ontario in 1978.