Biography for
Tommy Douglas (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

20 October 1904, Falkirk, Scotland, UK

Date of Death

24 February 1986, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (cancer)

Birth Name

Thomas Clement Douglas

Spouse

Irma Dempsey

(1930 - 24 February 1986) (his death) 2 children

Trivia

Father of Shirley Douglas

Greatgrandfather of Sarah Sutherland.

Former father-in-law of Donald Sutherland.

Member of Canada's House of Commons from 1935 to 1944 and from 1962 to 1979 where he gained a reputation as a skilled debater and as a spokesman for the underprivileged and exploited.

A leader in both the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and its successor, the New Democratic Party, Douglas played a major role in helping make democratic socialism a part of Canada's political mainstream.

As the CCF Premier of Saskatchewan from 1944 to 1961, Douglas was the leader of the first elected socialist government in North America.

Is considered the father of Canada's socialized medical system and was a strong advocate for other programs, such as a nationwide pension plan, that are now law in Canada.

Originally a Baptist minister in Saskatchewan during the Great Depression. While in seminary, he was introduced to the idea, known as The Social Gospel, that Christianity was to be concerned with alleviating suffering and improving the present world as much as it should be concerned with the hereafter.

His face has been featured on a 45-cent limited edition Canada Post stamp.

Was recently selected as #1 in a national voting poll by a CBC program series entitled "The Greatest Canadian".

Grandfather of Rachel Sutherland

He was the first politician to introduce government insurance to reduce the heavy insurance expenses on the middle class and the poor.

He created the first Arts Board in Canada.

His government introduced the farm security bill to which protected many farms from unfair foreclosures by the banks.

Created the first Bill of Rights in Canada and was the first to allow to right to vote at 18.

Created the first small claims court in North America.

He obtained his Master's Degree from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, where he did his thesis paper on eugenics.

Also had an adopted daughter named Joan, who became a nurse.

Grandfather of Kiefer Sutherland.

Personal Quotes

I don't mind being a symbol but I don't want to become a monument. There are monuments all over the Parliament Buildings and I've seen what the pigeons do to them.

A recession is when your neighbour has to tighten his belt. A depression is when you have to tighten your belt and a `panic' is when you have no belt to tighten and your pants fall down.

Canada is like an old cow. The West feeds it. Ontario and Quebec milk it. And you can well imagine what it's doing in the Maritimes. [June 29, 1983]