Medical advances have clearly defined Canada as a leader in medicine. The creation of medicare, the invention of insulin and the cobalt bomb are all defining moments in Canadian history, as they have all had a lasting impact nationally and internationally. First of all, the creation of medicare was a defining moment in Canadian history. Tommy Douglas firmly believed that every Canadian deserved the right to quality health care, regardless of their social status. He began establishing Medicare in Saskatchewan three months after being elected CCF premier. At first, the CCF began to fully fund the treatment of mental illnesses, STDs and cancer. By January 1, 1945, they had distributed government health cards to all retirees, all mothers on maternity allowance, and all disabled people in Saskatchewan, entitling them to full Medicare coverage, including medications. The first real Medicare program was implemented in the Swift Current region, the poorest region in Saskatchewan. All citizens benefited from all kinds of medical services, such as dental and hospital care. This paved the way for future Medicare programs. (Mason). Medicare represents a watershed moment in Canadian history because it significantly helped Canadians, especially those who were less fortunate, ensure they received adequate medical care without fear of cost. However, the path to this creation has been strewn with pitfalls. In 1959, Prime Minister TC Douglas announced his idea of ​​comprehensive government-administered health insurance that would benefit both patients and doctors. Many doctors had campaigned against this system in the 1960 election, and in September 1961, members of Saskatchewan C...... middle of paper ......ca/About_Us/LHSC/Publications/Features/ Cobalt-60. htm>."Looking inside the cobalt bomb." CBCnews. September 16, 2013. CBC/Radio Canada. January 11, 2014 “Dr. Harold Johns.” The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. January 5, 2014 “Discovery of insulin at the University of Toronto”. Toronto Heritage University. January 5, 2014. “The discovery of insulin.” Nobelprize.org. February 2009. January 5, 2014. Nordqvist, Christian. “Discovery of insulin.” Medical News Today. April 2012. MediLexicon International. January 5. 2014 .