Learn / People who shaped Canada
Tommy Douglas
A Baptist minister who built the first social democratic government in North America and then medicare.
Life story
- October 20, 1904 · Falkirk, Scotland
Born at Falkirk in Scotland; a free Winnipeg surgeon saved his leg as a boy - 1930 · Weyburn, Saskatchewan
Became a Baptist minister at Weyburn during the Depression - June 15, 1944 · Regina
Elected premier, the first social democratic government in North America - 1947 · Regina
Brought in universal hospital insurance for Saskatchewan - August 3, 1961 · Ottawa
Became the first leader of the federal New Democratic Party - July 1, 1962 · Regina
Saskatchewan medicare survived a 23-day doctors' strike - October 1970 · Ottawa
Opposed the War Measures Act when almost no one else would - February 24, 1986 · Ottawa
Died in Ottawa; voted the Greatest Canadian in 2004