Tommy Douglas: The Revolutionization Of Canada

Tommy Douglas was a preacher turned politician who fought for the right of health services in Canada. He ran for the position of the Premier of Saskatchewan in the year of 1944. He was elected and his career lasted from 1944 to 1961. That is when Canada’s political landscape began to change, affecting all the generations to come. Tommy Douglas believed that the government had responsibility to take care of ordinary people, making sure they lived a somewhat average lifestyle. Born in the year of 1904, and died in the year of 1986, this man changed the Healthcare Industry for the better.

Many people who know of Tommy Douglas and his impact on Canada, could easily say that he is one of the greatest Canadians in all of Canada’s history. Tommy Douglas is no ordinary person, he played a big role in why Canada is great to this day. He believed that every Canadian has a right to quality healthcare, regardless of the social or economical state that, that person might be in. In sticking to his belief, he led the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation(CCF), a government which was formed as a political coalition of progressive, socialist, and labour groups that requested economic reformation to help the Canadians who suffered from The Great Depression. CCF won Saskatchewan to form the first socialist government in North America. This party

Thomas Clement Douglas, or ‘Tommy’ Douglas was a prominent Canadian politician during the 1900s, as both a premier and a minister of health in the House of Commons. Though he was born in Scotland, his family moved to Canada at a very early age. Tommy Douglas spent most of his early life in Manitoba and most of his later life in Saskatchewan. Before he got into politics, Douglas was a Baptist preacher. He accomplished lots in his time and was even voted as the number one on the CBC television show “the Greatest Canadian”. Canadians remember him as a man with moral integrity and intellectual honesty. In my eyes, he is a hero. He was the first leader of any socialist government in Canada. He brought free healthcare to Canada, and he believed

Tommy Douglas was the first leader to introduce free healthcare. He wanted to make Canada a safer and better place to live, ensuring access to healthcare for all. Douglas became the leader of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), soon bringing the party to a victory as they became the governing party of Saskatchewan. In 1947, Douglas took the first step towards universal healthcare by bringing public insurance in Saskatchewan. For every five dollars a year, each person in the province would receive hospital care when needed. Douglas wanted to ensure that every person can get access to healthcare. Douglas had experienced problems and struggles in his life that he did not want other people to face. He believed that healthcare should

Shortly after, he moved to Weyburn, Saskatchewan. At that time he witnessed all the suffering the people in the province were facing due to the great depression. Tommy Douglas felt something had needed to be done, and so he decided that politics was the way. 1933, Tommy Douglas had joined the Cooperative Commonwealth Foundation (CCF), a socialist political party in Canada. Which later became the New Democratic Party (NDP). During the 1934 Saskatchewan elections, he was unsuccessful, but he did not give up. At the 1935 federal election, he ran as a member of the CCF. This time he was successful. During his time in Parliament, he spent much of the time advocating for civil liberties and such that others did not agree with. Tommy Douglas built a reputation as a witty debater. In 1944, Tommy Douglas decided to resign from the Parliament and run for the Saskatchewan general election. He spent the next 17 years as premier. His most notable achievement as premier, was the establishment of a government funded medical care plan. 1961, Douglas resigned as premier to lead the NDP. Lots were accomplished in his lifespan, but he did not live forever. Tommy Douglas passed away in 1986 due to

“The choice, however, is as clear now for nations as it was once for the individual: peace or extinction. ” 1 and Lester B. Pearson was definitely a man of peace. To those who don’t know who Lester B. Pearson is, he’s the fourteenth Prime Minister of Canada, that served from April 22. 1963 - April 20. 1968 2. During his time as Prime Minister, he’s accomplished many things, and that’s why I believe that Lester B. Pearson is the greatest Canadian.

To begin with, John Diefenbaker proves his position of being the most influential man in Canada as he revealed the importance of equality to Canadians by contributing to two momentous political issues. Firstly, John Diefenbaker established the Bill of Rights which positively changed Canadian perspectives and established Canadian identity. During this era, the Bill of Rights was significantly modern and addressed the inclusion of equality that Diefenbaker actively wanted to incorporate in the lives of Canadians. For instance, Part I of the Bill of Rights states," It is hereby recognized and declared that in Canada there have existed and shall continue to exist without discrimination by reason of race, national origin, colour, religion or sex..."

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Canada’s healthcare system started in 1946 and is made up of a group of socialized health insurance plans that provides coverage to all Canadian citizens. It is publicly funded and administered on a provincial or territorial basis with in the rules set by their federal government. Since the late 1960’s Canada essential has had a universal health insurance system covering all services provided by physicians and hospitals. In 1966 Lester B Pearson’s government subsequently expanded a policy of the universal healthcare with the medical care act. Canada’s healthcare system is the subject of political controversy and debate in the country. While healthcare in America began in the late 1800’s but was truly born in 1929 when Justin Kimball

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moved to Winnipeg in 1911 along with his mother and sister to meet his father who had

When asked to describe what makes Canada unique compared to other countries, many outsiders might yell out “Hockey!” “Cold Weather!” or “Free Health Care!.” Health care is definitely one of Canada’s most noticeable trademarks when compared to the United States, but the reality is that our health care services are not what they are made out to be. Canadians tend to take pride in the fact that they have a Government funded health care system, but the system is failing at a rapid pace. One can gage the quality of health care in our country while at the emergency ward in any hospital, where most Canadians realize its downsides. The Government spends most of its budget towards health care but Canadians are not feeling an improvement. Waiting