Listen Live
HomeNewsCampaign underway to have ‘Father of Medicare’ on Canadian five dollar bill

Campaign underway to have ‘Father of Medicare’ on Canadian five dollar bill

Two ex-prairie boys believe that the late Tommy Douglas should be the next bank ‘note-able’ Canadian. 

Douglas led the NDP Party from 1961 to ’71 and was Saskatchewan’s Premier from 1944 to ’61. 

To honour Douglas, Powell River residents Ron Woznow and Robin Murray are spearheading a campaign to have his image on our five dollar bill.

- Advertisement -

They joined forces to create a website and Facebook page devoted to the cause.

Woznow said Douglas’s work as the founding father in Canada’s health-care system makes him a worthy candidate.

“It became obvious to me when I started thinking of all the Canadian politicians who have left something for all Canadians, Tommy Douglas just sprung to mind,” Woznow said. “It’s just this huge freedom to know that if you need medical assistance to save your life or your daughter’s life or whoever, you’ll be able to get it and afford it.”

The most significant innovation during Douglas’s time as premier of Saskatchewan was the implementation of government-funded health insurance.

“In 1962 Medicare was started in Saskatchewan and then by the federal government in 1966,” Murray said. 

“Douglas has been an inspiration for many Canadians from sea to sea for his social activism. He was defined by his belief that his job as a politician was to help create a better society for all. Tommy Douglas is the historic Canadian who should appear on the new five dollar bill.”

Woznow said Douglas’s legacy sparked the campaign.

“Rob and I were talking a couple months ago about what Canadian politicians have made a difference in our lives,” he said. “I just heard from a friend in the U.S. that was really faced with a crisis because of the cost of healthcare down there.”

Woznow said he realized that the fundamental difference between Canada and our neighbours to the south is, if you are having a major medical issue in the U.S. “you often have to decide whether you want to live or whether you want to sell your house and live.”

In Canada, he said, you don’t have those kinds of traumatic decisions to make.

Woznow said they are reaching out to prominent Canadians across every political spectrum, and getting a very positive response.

In 2004, Douglas was voted ‘Greatest Canadian’ in a CBC contest.

Woznow says he knows why: “You think of all the people who have been touched by the fact that they can get medical care when they need it.”

You can link to their website here

You can also follow them on Facebook and on Twitter at @TommyDouglasForNewCanadianFiveDollarBill

The deadline to submit your nomination in the Bank of Canada’s public consultation is March 11.

- Advertisment -
- Advertisment -
- Advertisement -

Continue Reading

More