History of Canada – Unit 4 Lesson 4 - Changing Canada 1945-1967
TOMMY DOUGLAS and the BIRTH of MEDICARE
Tommy Douglas was born in Falkirk, Scotland on 20 October 1904. His parents emigrated to Canada and landed in Winnipeg. Money was very tight. At ten, a bonne in Douglas’ leg became infected. He was sent to hospital, but his family could not afford the treatment. If was recommended that his leg be removed. However, a visiting surgeon offered to treat Douglas if the surgeon’s students could observe. The treatment saved Douglas’ leg AND planted the seed for his vision: universally accessible health care for all people.
On 15 June 1944, the CCF won the Saskatchewan election by winning 47 of 53 seats. Saskatchewan had just elected the first social democratic government in North America with Tommy Douglas as Premier.
Douglas faced powerful and wealthy opposition to his plans. Yet, his government passed more than 100 bills during that first term. For example, sales tax of food and meals was eliminated, while spending on education was increased.
His opponents often called Douglas a Communist and radical.
In 1946, the Saskatchewan Hospitalization Act was passed. It guaranteed free hospital care for much of the population. Douglas had hoped to provide universal health care for all services and all people, but the province did not have the money. Pensioners gained free medical, hospital and dental services; everyone gained free treatment for diseases like cancer, tuberculosis and mental illness. In 1947, Saskatchewan introduced universal access to hospitals for an annual fee of five dollars per person.
Fearing loss of freedom and government determining the type of medical procedures to employ, doctors in Saskatchewan went on strike. Some services and medical procedures were delayed. Douglas did not falter, and eventually, the strike ended.
The Government of Canada enacted the Medicare Bill in December 1966 defining the cost sharing arrangements between Ottawa and the provinces, and providing health care to all Canadians.
Task – Answer the following questions.
In poll after poll, Canadians identify Medicare as the social program they value most.
1. What does Medicare mean to you?
2. In 1944, when Saskatchewan overwhelmingly elected the first socialist government in North America, large corporations reacted with panic.” Provide possible reasons for the reaction.
3. In 1957, the Government of Canada offered to provide 50% of the cost of hospital insurance plans. Saskatchewan Premier Tommy Douglas did not agree. Why?
4. What did Tommy Douglas propose as an alternative plan in 1958? In what year did Douglas’ plan finally go into effect?
5. Why were doctors against the plan? Were their concerns grounded in reality?
6. Why did the Liberals implement a Canadian Medicare program in 1966?
FOOTNOTES
· In his first year of Premier, Douglas allocated 70% of Saskatchewan’s budget to health, welfare and education.
· Douglas became the leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) in 1962
· Although leader of the federal NDP for many years, Douglas never became Prime Minister of Canada. He was asked, “Why did you stay with NDP when he could have done better with a more powerful party?” Douglas replied, "I have watched politicians for the last forty years drop their principles in order to get power only to find that those who paid and controlled the party which they joined prevented them from all the things they really believed in."
· In 2004, Tommy Douglas was voted the “Greatest Canadian.”