Canadian history · Drawing 32 of 43
Health care for everyone
1962–1972
In 1962, Saskatchewan started medicare, an idea Tommy Douglas fought for: the province paid for everyone’s visits to the doctor. By 1972, every province and territory had a similar plan.
Look together
What is the doctor listening to with the stethoscope?
An idea to try
Jump in place ten times, then put a hand on your chest: can you feel your heart beating faster than when you rest?
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
In 1959, Saskatchewan Premier Tommy Douglas announced a universal medical care insurance plan. The law was passed in 1961 under his successor, Woodrow Lloyd, and came into force on July 1, 1962. Most doctors then went on strike for 23 days; Keep Our Doctors committees campaigned against the plan, and the province was deeply divided. The Saskatoon Agreement, signed on July 23, set a compromise on how doctors would be paid. Ottawa passed the Medical Care Act in 1966; by 1972, all provinces and territories had joined.
Explain to your child that everyone’s taxes pay for services that anyone can use, like school or visits to the doctor.
Sources and illustration notes (3)
An imagined routine check-up: the doctor, the child and her father are not real people.
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. References identify the institution and the related lesson; some linked pages are in French.
- The Canadian Encyclopedia — Health PolicyMedical-services insurance born in Saskatchewan in 1962; 90% of doctors closed their offices on July 1; Medical Care Act of 1966; by 1972 all provinces and territories had joined.
- Parks Canada — The Saskatchewan Doctors’ Strike of 1962 National Historic EventAct took effect on 1 July 1962; most doctors struck for 23 days; Keep Our Doctors committees; residents deeply divided; Saskatoon Agreement of 23 July 1962 on how doctors would be paid; federal act of 1966.
- The Canadian Encyclopedia — Saskatchewan Doctors’ StrikePremier T.C. Douglas announced the plan in 1959; royal assent on 17 Nov 1961 after Woodrow S. Lloyd replaced Douglas; coming into force moved to 1 July 1962.
Page prepared on September 24, 2026. Illustrations simplify places and scenes; they are not historical documents.
This drawing is from the book Canada’s Great Moments to Colour
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