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In 1944, the Saskatchewan CCF formed the first social democratic government in North America. Behind this landmark achievement was George Hara Williams, the oft-forgotten architect of the CCF’s success in the province, who laid the organizational groundwork that brought together labour and farmers movements to produce the history-making victory. After building these foundations, he left to fight in the Second World War while still a Member of the Legislative Assembly. He became Minister of Agriculture, returning in time for the election of the CCF government, but this victory was short-lived for Williams. His seldom told story is instrumental to the legends of Tommy Douglas and MJ Coldwell.
Social Democrats of the North: Canadian Visions for Justice & Equality from Confederation to the Quiet Revolution is a new podcast series from Perspectives Journal by Broadbent Research Fellow and Editorial Committee Member Dave McGrane.
Dave McGrane, Professor of Political Science at St. Thomas More College at the University of Saskatchewan, explores the life, times, and ideas of Canada’s most influential social democrats. From Confederation at 1867, to the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s, discover the people who shaped social democracy in Canada, the movements that fought for the working-class, and the legacies they’ve left for the wellbeing of all Canadians. There are lessons for activists, and forgotten struggles that apply to today’s wins. After all, the best teacher for a better world tomorrow, is the past.
Social Democrats of the North is a Perspectives Journal Podcast Series, published by the Broadbent Institute.
Host & Episode Research – Dave McGrane
Producer – Clement Nocos
Production Assistant – Jack McClelland
Theme music note
The tune of US folk song “John Brown’s Body” is used extensively for militant labour movements and group marching, referencing US abolitionist John Brown. The tune has evolved into a number of variations, including ‘The March of the Workers’ in the Labor Reform Songster (1892) by Ontario labour leader Phillips Thompson (Social Democrats of the North Episode 2).
Battle Hymn of the Republic medley by Marisa Anderson is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
