Saturday marks the 75th anniversary of the election that first saw Tommy Douglas put into Saskatchewan government in 1944, forming the first social democratic government elected in North America.

The provincial NDP is celebrating Douglas’ legacy and 75 years of putting people first in the province.

“Tommy Douglas will forever be known as the father of medicare and one of the all-time greatest Canadians. As a doctor and the leader of the party that bears Tommy’s legacy, I’m inspired every day by the positive impact that his people-first vision has had on families all across our province,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili.

Meili added that the Douglas government’s legacy, which includes rural electrification and universal medicare, continues to be an inspiration for him.