Tommy Douglas

He tied the nuptial knot with Irma Dempsey, a music student at Brandon College. Together, they were blessed with a daughter Shirley Douglas. They adopted a second daughter Joan.

In 1984, he was injured in an accident but quickly recovered. However, his health soon gave up as his memory became weak.

On February 24, 1986, he died of cancer and was buried at Beechwood Cemetery.

Tommy Douglas was born on October 20, 1904 to Annie and Thomas Douglas in Camelon, Falkirk, Scotland, in 1904. His father was employed as an iron moulder who fought in Boer War.

During early years in life, young Douglas suffered from osteomyelitis that worsened as he grew up. The family shifted base to Winnipeg, Canada, in 1910. Therein, he was treated off the condition for free by an orthopaedic surgeon. It was this experience that inspired him for having free health care facilities.

He moved to Scotland temporarily during World War I only to return to Canada in 1918. Being witness of the General Strike, he was inspired to protect the fundamental rights.

He completed his preliminary education from an elementary school. He dropped out of high school to take up menial jobs as a soap boy, cork buyer and later as a Linotype operator. He worked for a five year apprenticeship only to acquire journeyman’s papers but discontinued the same to become an ordained minister.

In 1924, he enrolled at Brandon College to finish his high school studies and study theology. Furthermore, he took up a course in socialism and studied Greek philosophy. Meanwhile, to support his education, he took to working as a student minister, preaching sermons and advocating social reforms.

After completing his education, he started working as an ordained minister at Calvary Baptist Church. However, he soon turned from being a religious preacher to a social activist.

He joined the new Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) political party and was elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1935. During World War II, he drafted himself into the Canadian Army.

During his two terms as a CCF Leader, he earned a reputation of being a skilful and witty debater. He took up unpopular stands in defence of civil liberties. It was due to his popularity that he was elected as the leader of the Saskatchewan CCF in 1942.

In 1944, he gave up his federal seat to contest in the Saskatchewan general election. He ended up winning 47 seats out of 53 in the Legislative Assembly, thus forming the first democratic Socialist Government in North America.

As the Premier of Saskatchewan, he ruled for 17 years winning all the subsequent provincial elections until 1960. During his rule, he initiated several innovative and efficient programs that changed the society on the whole.

In 1980, he was presented with the honorary degree from various universities includingUniversity of Saskatchewan, McMaster University, Queen's University, University of Regina in Regina, Carleton University, University of British Columbia, and Trent University.

In 1981, for his service as a political leader, and innovator in public policy, he was appointed to the Orderof Canada as a Companion.

In 1985, he was awarded the Saskatchewan Order of Merit.

Brandon University created a students' union building to honour his contribution as a political leader.