1944: Father of Modern Healthcare

Tommy Douglas was elected as Premier of Saskatchewan in 1944 where he served five terms. His government was the first social democratic government in North America. A long believer in universal health care (that is, government health care available to all taxpayers), Douglas first put Medicare in place in Saskatchewan. Then when he became the first leader of the NDP party, Medicare was extended to all of Canada.

Douglas' legacy is widely appreciated by people from coast to coast. His legacy as the "Father of Modern Healthcare" is seen in the social and medical programs that serve Canadians to this day.