Universal health care is a point of pride in Canada, but that wasn't always the case. It's hard to imagine now, but there was a time when people without the necessary funds either had to rely on charity for medical treatment, or simply go without. Dubbed "the father of Medicare," Saskatchewan premier Tommy Douglas was a key figure in the creation of Canada's current universal health care system. Saskatchewan was the first province to adopt government-funded health care in 1962. In 1966, the federal government introduced the "Medical Care Act," which was implemented in 1968, making universal health care a reality for all Canadians. For more information on the Canadian health care system and how it compares to our neighbours to the south, click here.