Saturday marks the 75th anniversary of the historic election that first swept Tommy Douglas into government in Saskatchewan on June 15, 1944 forming the first social democratic government ever elected in North America.

The NDP is celebrating Douglas’ legacy and 75 years of putting people first across the province. Provincial NDP leader, Ryan Meili says Douglas will forever be known as the father medicare and one of the greatest Canadians of all-time.

Meili adds when people walk into hospitals in Canada, they’re able to start by explaining how they are feeling, not how they’re paying.