Tommy Douglas is well-known throughout Canada, and well deserving of his title of the "Greatest Canadian". He became the leader of the Saskatchewan CCF (Co-operative Commonwealth Federation), and lead the first socialist government in North America, which were both extremely large accomplishments. Further, Douglas was the seventh Premier of Saskatchewan for 17 years before he resigned. In the 17 years that he held the title of Premier of Saskatchewan he managed to: remove sales tax from food and meals (reducing the provincial debt by 20 million dollars), grant pensioners free medical, dental, and hospital services, as well as free treatment of certain diseases, and more. By 1959, 12 years after introducing universal hospitalization at a $5 fee per year, Douglas announced the newly created Medicare Plan which was universal, pre-paid, publicly admininstered, and of very high quality.
2. What effect does Tommy Douglas have on your life today?
Without Tommy Douglas' persistent ambition and success, humanity today (in Canada) may not be as blessed as we are to have free medical attention; leaving many people to strive & pay for their own health care, which in some cases may not be easily attained. Being an adolescent of only 16 years old, I'm not financially well-off enough to pay for my own medical or anything of the sort, which might essentially lead to me with numerous health conditions/illnesses and perhaps- more drastically concerned- death. Tommy Douglas made a huge impact on my life, as well as millions of others.
3. Photo of Tommy Douglas.
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