Stewart takes helm of FCM

Mayor Basil Stewart will take on the role of president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities this week. Lori A. Mayne/Journal Pioneer

Published on June 8th, 2009

Published on June 20th, 2010

Lori A. Mayne

WHISTLER, B.C. - The mayor of Summerside will soon have hundreds of other municipalities under his wing.
Basil Stewart will take over as president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities this week.
Stewart, who won the post by acclamation, has moved up executive ranks in recent years. Elections took place at the annual general meeting in Whistler, B.C.
"When you work for municipalities, your own municipality benefits," said Stewart by telephone from Whistler Sunday. "It's an honour and I'm looking forward to it."
Stewart said he hopes to continue the federation's past good work and promises to work hard. "That's the only promise I'll make."
In a previous interview, Stewart stressed the federation president must look out for municipalities across the country. But he gave examples of how that helps Summerside.
The federation lobbied for federal gas tax funding for municipalities; he said that now brings over $1 million a year to this city. The federation has also been lobbying to get dollars flowing for infrastructure projects.
Stewart didn't expect any one issue to dominate the next year. He noted in the interview it depends what municipalities require.
One issue is the crisis in rural Canada, which the federation underlined in a report released recently.
"Fewer than 20 per cent of the population now lives in rural Canada," Stewart explained.
"But rural Canada is very important to the economy and to the rest of the country."
Where do fish, food, lumber and mining resources come from?
"It's not downtown Toronto," Stewart pointed out.
Stewart also noted while infrastructure programs can benefit communities, some smaller communities struggle to supply resources or expertise needed.
Stewart couldn't say exactly how much he'd be away on federation business but said the board meets every three or four months. He said the federation pays for his travel on federation business.
While his focus involves representing municipalities in general, Stewart said Summerside should get more well known.
"There's no question the Summerside flag will be there all the time with me."
Stewart is scheduled to get the presidential pin at a ceremony today in Whistler. He officially takes over Tuesday.

lmayne@journalpioneer.com

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