Considered to be one of the most outstanding Canadians who ever lived, Tommy Douglas passed away in 1986.
Born in Scotland, Tommy Douglas and his family moved to Canada in 1910, when Douglas was just seven years old. He moved to Weyburn with his new wife in the 1930s. Politically active, Douglas was a socialist who believed healthcare should be free for everyone. He became leader of the Saskatchewan CCF after serving the national party in Parliament.
He led the provincial party to victory in the summer of 1944, becoming the first socialist government in North America. On top of fighting for free healthcare, Douglas and his government created SaskPower, Saskatchewan Government Insurance, and left many other legacies that continue to this day. He died Feb. 24, 1986. Few have left such a lasting impact on this country.
100 Years of Saskatchewan History
This article is part of a series that celebrates both the history of Saskatchewan and the 100th anniversary of one of Saskatchewan's most storied radio stations. For more key moments from the last 100 years, visit the CKRM timeline.
