Thomas Douglas

Born: October 20, 1904
Birthplace: Falkirk, Scotland
Died: February 24, 1986

Father of Canada's universal health care system

For forty-four years 'Tommy' Douglas served as an elected representative of Saskatchewan, both in the Federal Parliament in Ottawa (1935-44 and 1962-79), and in the Provincial Legislature, where he was for seventeen years Premier of the province. His party, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) represented prairie farmers during the great economic depression of the 1930s, seeking to provide, among other essentials, affordable universal health-care in difficult economic times. This dream became reality in 1959 with the introduction in Saskatchewan of a pre-paid, publicly administered plan covering the costs of hospital and medical services. This plan served as a model at the Federal level of government, providing the principles embodied in the universal medicare scheme introduced in 1969, and legislated in the Canada Health Act of 1984. Among his many awards, Mr. Douglas was made a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1981.

You Never Know Where Your Studies Will Take You

Tommy Douglas is the one of the only heroes of the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame who is not a medical doctor or medical scientist but a theologian! He was one of Canada's most visionary politicians and the principles he introduced in 1959 for a universal, pre-paid, publicly administered health care system are found still today in the 1984 Canada Health Act and are admired the world over.