How did Saskatchewan introduce North America’s first compulsory medical care program in 1962?

Saskatchewan implemented North America’s first compulsory medical care program in 1962 under the leadership of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) government.1

While Tommy Douglas served as premier from 1944 to 1961 and is recognized as the father of socialized medicine in Canada for establishing the province's initial state-run health care system, he resigned in 1961 to lead the New Democratic Party. The implementation of the compulsory program in 1962 was carried out under the subsequent CCF administration led by Premier Woodrow Lloyd. This initiative was a hallmark of the CCF’s tenure in Saskatchewan, which was the first avowedly socialist government on the continent.21