Tommy Douglas and Medicare

The Welfare State
Like many other nations, Canada invested in social welfare programs and infrastructure projects to maintain and share prosperity after the war. According to British economist John Maynard Keynes, the intervention of the state would ensure growth and guard against recession. Canadians insisted that governments take a greater role in providing care and economic security to its citizens. No one wanted to repeat the bitter experiences of the Depression era.

Family Allowances

Starting in July 1945, mothers of children under 16 received a monthly family allowance cheque. This money directly improved a family’s buying power and its standard of living.

Pensions

In 1952, all Canadians over 70 became entitled to a federally funded pension. Additional programs such as the Canada and Quebec pension plans followed in 1966.

Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment insurance was introduced in Canada in 1940, and expanded in the 1950s and 1960s. The Canada Assistance Plan provided basic levels of income to Canadians during periods of unemployment.

Medicare

Between 1957 and 1966, the federal government implemented a nationally funded universal health insurance program that is now known as medicare.

Infrastructure

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, various levels of government invested in major projects such as hydroelectric dams, the St. Lawrence Seaway shipping route and the Trans-Canada Highway.

Nurturing Canadian Culture

The expanding role of government covered culture and identity. Concerned about American influence, the federal government established the Royal Commission on National Development in the Arts, Letters and Sciences, headed by Vincent Massey. The commission’s 1951 report made sweeping recommendations for increased government support for cultural institutions, education and the arts. This led to the creation of the Canada Council for the Arts in 1957. To date, it has funded thousands of artists, writers and performers in Canada.