Raised in London, Ontario, Stewart studied psychology and then urban & regional planning at Queen’s University at Kingston. The west coast beckoned in 1978 and a visit to British Columbia became permanent. Graduating from University of Victoria Law School in 1982, Stewart articled with the BC Ministry of Attorney General and entered private practice in 1983 focusing on business and corporate law, real property law (including development and leasing) and estate planning.

Stewart was founding Chair of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority and of the Victoria Esquimalt Harbour Society, past chair of Tourism Victoria, former co-chair of the Tourism Working Group of the Pacific North West Economic Region, and past Chair of Skwin’ang’eth Se’las Development Company – a not-for-profit corporation aimed at incubating entrepreneurship among members of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.

Stewart is Commander of the Victoria Commandery of the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knights Hospitaller. He has served on several not-for-profit boards including the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria Foundation, the Victoria Symphony Society, and the Camosun College Foundation. In addition to the honour of knighthood in the Sovereign Order, Stewart has received an honorary citizenship from the City of Victoria, the Miracle Award from Tourism Victoria, and life membership in the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.

Besides his wife Penny, Stewart’s passions include gourmet cooking, music, and a love of the great outdoors. When not at his desk you can find him at the gym, skiing, motorcycling, playing tennis, gardening or chasing his grandchildren down the bicycle trails.