Tommy Douglas was Saskatchewan's most notable politician, and one of the Greatest Canadians in history. Douglas took large roles as being the leader of the CCF, and governed Saskatchewan positively as Premier. He was elected as the New Democratic Parties first leader, which he brought in foundations that would change the Parliament and the way people act. Douglas' actions lead to his ultimate goal of universal healthcare. Through his religious concepts and his ideas of equality, Douglas proves to be the most idolized man in Canadian history.
Tommy Douglas was born in Falkirk, Scotland Oct 20th, 1904 into a religious family. He and his family immigrated to Winnipeg 15 years later, in 1919. The Douglas family settled in a community which was becoming focused on social gospel, a movement that engaged Christianity with the attempt for social justice and greater equality. Douglas was diagnosed with a bone infection, but his family could not afford a doctor. He was offered a free surgery from a doctor, and the treatment saved his leg. This incident gave Douglas the mindset of free universal healthcare for all of Canada. Later in life, Douglas moved to Weyburn, Saskatchewan. He found that the province was greatly suffering from the depression and drought. He tried to help out Saskatchewan by ministering people's physical and spiritual needs. He also studied Christian ethics at the time, which led him to believe that political action was needed to get the province out of economical crisis. In 1931, he created an association of Independent Labour Party, and 2 years later, he attended the first nation convention of a new socialist group, Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), which he then joined. Douglas ran for premier in 1935 as a CCF candidate for the second time, which he was successful in primarily because he has learned talents and tricks to make people listen and follow him. He continued his political career as Premier, which then he stepped down in 1961 to become the NDP's leader. He promoted his idea of healthcare, and it was successful. In 1971 Douglas retired as leader, but still held a seat in the House of Commons. At times he served as the speaker for NDP with his persuasive ways of speaking to crowds. He died of cancer in Ottawa, 1986.
In the 1929, Douglas became a minister at Calvary Baptist church in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. The town accepted Douglas and were very welcoming to the young preacher who was full of energy and charisma. His time in Weyburn allowed Douglas to experience first hand the harshness of the Depression in the prairies. Douglas knew to change the lives of the people. His experience with the unemployment and poverty changed Douglas, a minister into a social activist. "The religion of tomorrow will be less concerned with the dogmas of theology and more concerned with the social welfare of humanity." (research) By 1932, Douglas organized an Independent Labour Party in which he led. Saskatchewan's Independent Labour movement was not large but they began raising awareness for socialism. It then soon switched into the Farmer Labour Party. The Farmer Labour Party offered hospital care for everyone equally, including unemployment insurance and pension. By July 1932, the labour parties of the four western provinces bonded as an alliance called the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation. This was the start of Tommy Douglas' political carrer, and the change of Canada's government.
Tommy Douglas took on a large role in being premier under the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation's government. The CCF was the first socialist government in North America, and winning 47 out of the 52 seats, they were dominantly favoured. When Saskatchewan's economy was in the rough, CCF created eight subjects that must have been restored and helped for the economy to heal. The biggest focuses were on healthcare, Agriculture and Industrial Development, and social welfare. The others were: Education, Labour, the Economy, Arts and Culture, and finally government administration. Education was changed in a way that would benefit children, there were larger schools and teachers were getting paid more. The quality of education was raised, and the school system was changed to make every student equal. The CCF put in new laws to help the farmers and protect their crops from creditors. Large dams were created in cases of drought, and natural gas lines were made from gas fields to power homes. Douglas also helped the needy drastically. His government increased welfare pension by a large amount, increased welfare benefits, and provided free healthcare to welfare participants. From 1944-1948, the government balanced budgets and government spending rose by 20%. In 1951-1959 government revenues rose from $63 million to $143 million. The economy was is a better shape than before CCF took over. The citizens enjoyed and respected the CCF so much, they were in power from 1935-1958. The CCF disbanded and became the New Democratic Party, with Douglas being the first leader in 1961. With their consistent efforts to successfully bring Saskatchewan's economy back to life, the CCF was one of the most promising and favoured governments in Canada history.
Universal Medicare was a strong focal point in Douglas' life, and was an ambition he always dreamed of. The CCF and Douglas had no part in inventing the healthcare, The National Health Service in Britain had already done so, but its success inspired them. They held the idea with great determination, but started in Saskatchewan. At the time, Canada operated in a "free-market" healthcare system, or a "pay as you go" and it could cost hundreds of dollars for a simple surgery. Douglas was impacted by the economic state which was still breaking out of depression and the images of veterans from World War I. Many elderly people and unemployed people could not afford proper healthcare, which led to death. The Liberals promised universal healthcare insurance in 1919, but no action took place. It was also campaigned in 1945, but never delivered. Three decades later, the Liberals passed the Hospital Insurance Act. This act stated that there would be federal support for hospital insurance. Ontario, Quebec and four other provinces were involved, but no consensus was reached. Ontario wanted to let private business' deal with healthcare, and Quebec felt that they did not need to listen to the government, they wanted their own way. "The Liberal federal government's trouble is that they have a wishbone where they should have a backbone." (iwish) " In 1961 there was the Doctors strike. Tommy thought of the challenges of bringing free health care to every resident in Saskatchewan. "I made a pledge that if I ever have anything to do with it, people would be able to get health services just as they are able to get educational services, an inalienable right of a being a citizen" (biography) Douglas made changes. There would be free medical care for thirty thousand mothers, widows, and old people, free treatment for cancer and psychiatric problems, and an air ambulance, the first one in Canada. The government also installed running water in towns and villages, beginning the end of bad hygiene which was a major problem. By the start of 1947, Douglas had launched a provincial program for free healthcare, and the program starting cost was $7.5 million. That year the cost had risen to $29 million, which was 20% of the budget. Douglas put on taxes and a premium of five dollars a person, which were beneficial, but the public was not in favour, but it stayed. The dream of free healthcare was still elusive, and he needed more help. He voiced healthcare to the federal government, and in 1958 with Diefenbaker as Prime Minister, they began to finance half of Saskatchewan's hospital plan. Years past, and progress was being made. When Douglas stepped up to be the NDP leader in 1961, he constantly showed the success of Saskatchewan's system to Parliament, which now was being ran by Pearson's Liberal Government. An agreement had been reached, and in 1967 the government would begin a funding plan that brought medicare to every province. Taxes and the healthcare were quickly accepted by all, as people realized the true benefits from the healthcare. Without Douglas' perseverance and the Prime Ministers acceptance, Canada would not have free healthcare and equality of people would not have been reached.
Through his fundamentals of religion and beliefs Douglas contributions show that he is the Greatest Canadian. His huge heart has led Canada to be a place that citizens enjoy living in. He brought started the roots of the New Democratic Party, brought Saskatchewan out of debt, introduced healthcare, and showed Canada that one man with the will, can change the country. He has been voted the greatest Canadian man by CBC and the Saskatchewan government. With all of Douglas' actions and words, he has proven to be the greatest Canadian in history.
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