Winnipeg Free Press

Nominated by: Darren Zamkotowich

Why Tommy Douglas should be a Great Manitoban:

Claim to fame: Considered to be Canada's Father of Medicare

Manitoba dosage: 2.5

Fast Facts: Spent his formative years in Winnipeg...His politics were deeply influenced by witnessing firsthand as officers shot unarmed protestors during the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike...Attended Brandon University...Later became Saskatchewan premier and leading advocate for the adoption of Medicare as national public policy.

13 Comments

• A great man, but he was from Saskatchewan

  Posted by: James Manishen | 2008-05-26 14:52:04

• Actually he was from Scotland UK but he did spend most of his formative years here - Winnipeg and Brandon.

  Posted by: G McLachlan | 2008-05-27 16:17:04

• Father of Canadian Universal Health Care.

  Posted by: Michael Richard | 2008-05-30 11:42:40

• Even if Douglas isn't from Manitoba, he should still be eligible for the prize, as no actual Manitoban, living or dead, compares with him.

  Posted by: Ed Janzen | 2008-06-05 20:48:21

• He may have got the "free" ( using your tax dollars ) health care ball rolling, but I don't think that makes someone a great Manitoban. Too bad the NDP isn't keeping their promises to end hallway medicine....if Tommy seen today's NDP , trying to end the Hutterites way of life by banning farming, and people dying in our hospital hallways, he would be ashamed. I would also like to point out Tommy Douglas supported user fees, so people would not abuse the system.

  Posted by: pissinginthetent.com | 2008-06-26 17:55:44

• T.C. Douglas: a giant by any measure (and especially when compared to "Today's N.D.P.").

  Posted by: Helmut-Harry Loewen | 2008-06-26 09:48:08

• This man will be always listed as top 2 in the world forever for fighting for the rights of Canadians for ever and ever .

  Posted by: Lu Robert Rahn | 2008-06-27 12:01:06

• The third comment above mine is entirely inappropriate. Dithering about how later politicians have mis-managed universal healthcare and NDP-bashing do not belong here. The poster's ID, 'P***inginthetent' is proof of his profound cognitive impairment and unfitness to comment here. Were it not for Douglas, many who spend time in hospital hallways would expire daily, untreated in slums and alleys nationwide because only the wealthy and those employed in the best jobs could afford treatment or the health insurance premiums. A true Canadian visionary along with the likes of Duff Roblin. Yeah Tommy!

  Posted by: Gord Richardson | 2008-06-30 09:47:35

• this is a man that started with nothing.This is a man that did not have a silver spoon in his mouth nor his parents. He has proven to everyone and continues to be the best with his contribution of our Health Care System. Without him we would all be suffering and dying needlessly.

  Posted by: LU-ROB RAHN | 2008-07-06 06:10:36

• Tommy was from Saskatchewan , not Manitoba!

  Posted by: vic | 2008-07-08 14:29:44

• Yes, Tommy was from Sask. and your point? Do you live in Manitoba a reap his benefits for Health Benefits and your family too. Yup,Tommy is the greatest. His legacy will live on forever . This makes a "HERO" when what a person does will change the world forever for everyone of all nations.

  Posted by: Joe Friday | 2008-07-11 09:38:11

• Unfortunately Medicare is dead. Canada hasa the worth medicare in the Continent. No doctors, no nurses, hospitals under stress, waiting for anything you need, beside that the personnel at the hospital are terrible bad trained.. To bad for Mr Douglas..it worked for a while thou....

  Posted by: michael valladares | 2008-07-19 11:55:34

• Valladares you have a slight point,but we still have a great system.Without Tommy Douglas we would have to pay for each visit to a Doctor up front and any hospital visits or operations!Time goes on and the world is constantly changing,it does not take away from his great gift to us.Blame the politicians of today for the faults , not him.

  Posted by: Lu Rob | 2008-07-30 04:21:36

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