Tommy Douglas

Tommy Douglas helped weave the first strands of the social safety net that defines Canadian society today. As a Baptist minister in Depression-era Saskatchewan, he plunged into public life during the formative years of the federal socialist party, the CCF (Cooperative Commonwealth Federation). In 1934, he left the pulpit to devote himself to politics. He led North America’s first socialist government, serving as premier of Saskatchewan between 1944 and 1961. He introduced over 100 important laws, including one that gave Canada its first government health insurance. As the first Leader of the federal New Democratic Party (NDP) from 1961 to 1971, he was perceived to be the conscience of Canada.