1. BY: BRIAN YANG & DARREN YAM

2. Biography Tommy Douglas was born in Falkirk, Scotland. His family immigrated to Canada and settled in Winnipeg. He had many ideas on how to improve the government and other people’s lives. He was born on October 20, 1904. He died on February 24, 1986 because of cancer. He was named the Greatest Canadian in a national vote on CBC. He was a premier of Saskatchewan.

3. Childhood Tommy’s family was very poor. Couldn’t attend school. One day, he fell and injured his knee. He underwent a number of operations in an attempt to cure the condition. His knee flared up again and had to be taken to the hospital. Doctors told him that his leg would have to be amputated. A surgeon agreed to treat the boy for free if his parents would allow medical students to observe this surgery. This inspired him that doctors were an important role in the cities.

4. Childhood Cont’d He was influenced by his Church Minister, who was J.S Woodsworth. On Bloody Saturday, he saw the RCMP arrest J.S Woodsmith and the other strike leaders. His father, who was working in a factory was treated badly. This eventually resulted in Tommy making the 8 hour work days and 5 days a week shifts, along with minimum wage.

5. Adulthood He went to Brandon College to become a Baptist Minister. In 1935 he campaigned to be in the federal government. He won and went to Ottawa to become a member of Parliament for 9 years. In 1944 the citizens in Weyburn elected him to be in the premier of Saskatchewan in the Federal Government.

6. Reasons why he is the Greatest Canadian He established equality in education. He provided full medical, dental and drug coverage. He created free air ambulance. First to provide universal coverage for hospitalization. He founded budget bureau, which helps the government for long-term planning. He introduced government insurance, such as pensions. He started the Arts Board in Canada. He introduced the Farm Security Act in North America.

7. Reason why he is the Greatest Canadian Cont’d He granted the right to vote at the age of 18 years old. He created the 8 hour work day, 5 days a week shifts. He founded the Small Claims Court in North America. He introduced the Bills of Rights in Canada, but Pierre Trudeau passed the bill. He started the Universal Medicare plan in North America. He was the first socialist leader in the continent. He was the first leader in the Federal NDP. He was the first CCF member to sit in the House of Commons.

8. Video about Medicare (1983)

9. TOMMY DOUGLAS IS THE GREATEST CANADIAN OF ALL TIME, OF ALL TIME!!