preview

How Did Tommy Douglass Affect Canada

Decent Essays
Open Document

Tommy Douglas was the first person to ever lead a social-democratic government in Canada. It was because of his views that his political opponents often criticized him. They labelled him as a “red” and a “communist” at times, because he believed in socialism and that everyone deserved free healthcare, even the one’s who were poor and and in a bad situation. His impact on Canadians was a great one. Especially the ones were suffering from the economic depression that had it’s grip on Saskatchewan. Tommy Douglas worked to create a better society in Saskatchewan and Canada, he wanted to alleviate the suffering. He is known for how he drastically increased welfare benefits. By providing electricity to the farmers in the rural areas, he helped the poor farmers. By establishing a universal healthcare system, he helped the ones who were suffering from disease or sickness but couldn’t pay for help. By introducing the first ever auto insurance in Canada, he made accidents less tragic. He was a hero the citizens. …show more content…

The Great Depression was an economic crash, stock markets failed, and banks went into debts. Money was more difficult to achieve, workers had to be cut. In 1928, the net farming income was $363 million, but in 1933, it dropped to a low $11 million. Many citizens were put into poverty. Tommy Douglas saw the suffering and hardship around him and tried to help. He led relief efforts and programs such as food distribution centres, but it wasn’t enough. It came to him that politics would be the way to help the people, and he was right. Tommy Douglas and the CCF gave healthcare to those who couldn’t afford it, he established more healthcare locations, and provided cheaper public transportation. Douglas did all he could to try to alleviate the suffering the citizens were going through. He worked hard, and the people could see

Get Access