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This attitude typified what became the unique and noble life of a common man. It won him countless friends and the reverence of millions. It also spawned vicious enemies among the mighty and minions of avarice.

A little Scottish boy fell and cut his knee. Out of that simple misfortune and the passionate conviction of a single, uncompromising will, Medicare was born.

When Tommy Douglas became Premier of Saskatchewan in 1944 the human environment of Canada began to change and by the time he left the political landscape in 1979 the entire countenance of the country had been socially transformed into a nation that most other international societies admired.

Thomas Clement Douglas is born on October 20th in Falkirk, Scotland. His grandfather comes “to see the boy” and is reconciled with the boy’s father.

Tom Douglas Sr. emigrates to Canada ahead of his wife and children and makes his way to Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Several operations become necessary for young Tommy, as he is weakened by pneumonia, injuring his right knee in a fall. This brings on the onset of Osteomyelitis.

Tommy Douglas and his pregnant mother and sister Annie leave Glasgow for Canada. They embark on a 17-day sea voyage and a five-day train ride to Winnipeg. They settle in a rented house in the north end. Tommy’s second sister, Isobel is born.

Young Tommy is hospitalized several times for treatment to his knee. His leg is saved from amputation by Dr. R.H. Smith who performs an experimental surgical procedure on the boy. This would not have been possible if the Douglas family had been expected to pay for these medical services themselves.

The Douglas family leaves Canada and returns home to Scotland. Tom Sr. rejoins the British army. The family lives with Anne’s family (the Clements) in Glasgow. Tommy is influenced by his grandfather’s interest in co-ops and by the preachers he listens to in church and the socialists and other soapbox speakers he hears on Glasgow green.

Tommy Douglas becomes ‘the man of the family’ as he and his mother and two sisters sail to Canada on January 1st. His father is to join them later. The Douglas family purchases a house at 132 McPhail street in Winnipeg.
‘Bloody Saturday’ is witnessed from the roof of a two-story building by Tommy Douglas and his friend Mark Talnicoff (who will later become Tommy’s brother-in-law).
Douglas begins a printer’s apprenticeship. He joins the boy scouts, the Order of DeMolay, and the militia. He studies music, boxing, elocution and acting. He reads Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns as well as political and religious books.

Douglas is the youngest Linotype operator in Canada.

Douglas is a lay preacher at Stonewall, Manitoba. He is cast in the lead role in a play and receives a standing ovation. He performs at burns dinners and concerts.

Douglas begins boxing at a gym operated by the OBU.

Douglas takes the title of Lightweight Boxing Champion of Manitoba.

Douglas enrolls at Brandon college in Manitoba. Because he had quit school in Scotland, he finishes high school and studies theology. He supports himself with public speaking, waiting on tables and preaching. He is assigned to the Presbyterian church in Carberry, Manitoba. It is here that Irma Dempsey comes to hear him preach.

Douglas meets Stanley Knowles and they become academic rivals and lifelong friends.

Tommy Douglas is assigned as a lay preacher to Baptist churches in Shoal Lake and Strathclair.

Douglas is student body president at Brandon College. This is where Irma Dempsey has come to study music.

Douglas takes home 11 ‘delinquents’ to his new bride. When he calls for increased relief rates, businessmen label him a “red.”
Douglas attends the University of Chicago during the summer months. He visits a hobo jungle and attends a meeting of the U.S. Socialist party. He becomes disillusioned by political purists and theorists.
During the coal miners’ strike, Douglas visits Estevan and Bienfait. Because he preaches against the shocking living conditions, mine owners complain to his church deacons.

At the urging of J.S. Woodsworth, M.J. Coldwell meets Douglas in Weyburn. Douglas becomes president of the new Weyburn branch of Coldwell’s independent labour party (ILP). M.J. Coldwell becomes leader of the farmer labour party, formed by the merging of the UFC (SS) and the ILP. Douglas is elected to the party’s council in Absentia.

Co-Operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) is founded under the leadership of J.S. Woodsworth. The Regina Manifesto is issued. The Manifesto vows to eradicate capitalism, and Douglas calls it “The finest thing I have ever seen.”

Irma and Tommy’s daughter, Shirley is born in April.In June, an inexperienced Douglas places third in his riding in the Saskatchewan election. At the national CCF convention, Douglas agrees to lead the party’s youth wing.

Douglas runs for the CCF in the Federal election. He wins the seat. The Baptist church tells him to stay out of politics.Douglas resigns as the minister of Calvary Baptist church in Weyburn. The family moves to Ottawa.

Tom Douglas Sr. dies of a burst appendix. Douglas is a delegate at an international youth conference in Geneva. He sees Nazis marching in German streets and realizes force will be necessary to defeat them. In the House of Commons, Douglas presents his maiden speech by criticizing the Government for its inaction when Italy invades Ethiopia.

The worst drought in the history of southern Saskatchewan leaves the province devastated.

There is obvious discontent with the leadership of the CCF.Pacifist Woodsworth resigns as CCF leader. Coldwell takes his place and Douglas becomes his unofficial lieutenant. The CCF attempts unsuccessfully to limit war profiteering.Douglas enlists in the south Saskatchewan regiment. He is soon given a commission and rises to the position of captain.

In the March federal election, Douglas retains his seat in Weyburn. The CCF elects eight, five of them from Saskatchewan.Irma and Tommy adopt a second daughter, Joan.

In October the army transfers Douglas to the Grenadiers. His unit is about to leave to reinforce the British garrison at Hong Kong when Douglas is turned down because of his old leg injury.

In Ottawa, Douglas delivers an eloquent speech in the post-Hong Kong furor. This elevates him to a national profile.
Douglas wins the leadership of the Saskatchewan CCF.
J.S. Woodsworth dies. Stanley Knowles wins his seat in parliament.

Douglas resigns his federal seat to contest the Saskatchewan election. Douglas becomes premier.
The Farm Security Act, which protects farmers from creditors, is passed by Douglas’ government. The federal government challenges it in the courts.

While visiting Canadian troops in Europe, Douglas re-injures his knee. It will continue to bother him for the rest of his life.
At the federal-provincial conference, all premiers oppose Mackenzie King’s plan for the postwar era except Douglas, who believes in strong central government.
Douglas invites Japanese-Canadians to resettle in Saskatchewan.

CCF launches Saskatchewan-wide free hospital care.

The liberals gain seats in the Saskatchewan election by claiming that Douglas takes his orders from Moscow.

The Douglas government establishes the Saskatchewan Arts Board (the first in North America) and a Provincial Archive.

Since 1944, the Douglas government has established a small claims court (the first in North America), set a minimum wage and a forty-hour work week, and doubled union membership.

At the 48th Annual Conference of the League for Industrial Democracy, in New York City, Douglas was presented with a humanitarian award. He was recognized for historic achievements, as a distinguished leader from abroad, providing pioneering services in the democratic world. Eleanor Roosevelt was also awarded recognition at this conference.

Wage restraints are imposed by the Douglas government. Power utility unions threaten a strike. Back-to-work legislation is prepared.

The Douglas government has been asking for a dam on the south Saskatchewan River since 1944. Federal government approves.

Douglas is diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy. Regardless of this, he delivers a speech while traveling in Italy.
Douglas announces a decision to forge ahead with Medicare.

In Saskatchewan’s June election, Medicare is the key issue. Douglas wins a solid majority, but the doctors continue to stall.

Douglas wins the national leadership of the newly formed New Democratic Party (NDP). He calls for a special session of the provincial legislature to enact Medicare.
Douglas steps down as Premier. He is replaced by Woodrow Lloyd.

Douglas is defeated in Regina in the federal election. He wins a seat in Burnaby-Coquitlam in British Columbia.
On July 1st, the first day for Medicare, 90% of Saskatchewan doctors go on strike. The strike is over by month end.

In Ottawa, Douglas and the NDP nudge the government towards Medicare, pensions, and labour reforms.

The liberals in Saskatchewan defeat the NDP government.
In 20 years of power, the NDP has eliminated the provincial debt.

Gardiner Dam is opened on Diefenbaker Lake in Douglas Provincial Park.

Douglas steals the show in a televised election debate between three party leaders. The NDP wins 22 seats. Douglas loses his seat, and wins a by-election in Nanaimo-Cowichan-The Islands.

Douglas is openly critical of U.S. Policy in Vietnam.

Sharp divisions in the NDP become evident as Douglas and the NDP caucus protest the use of the War Measures Act. His stand is referred to as “his finest hour, certainly his loneliest.”

David Lewis succeeds Douglas as leader of the NDP. Douglas takes the position of energy critic.

Douglas punches a hold-up man in Jamaica.

While speaking in the house, Douglas collapses with a bleeding ulcer.

Douglas resigns his seat in Parliament.
He becomes Chair of the Douglas Coldwell Foundation. He leads a delegation to China.

Douglas is made a Companion of the Order of Canada.

Douglas is diagnosed with inoperable cancer.

Douglas speaks at the NDP convention and 50th anniversary of the Regina Manifesto. He receives a 30-minute standing ovation. He is, at this time, a very sick man.

Douglas is hit by a bus and hospitalized for weeks.

On December 5th, Douglas receives the Saskatchewan Award of Merit. This is his final public appearance.

Tommy Douglas dies on February 24th.