Medical advances have clearly defined Canada as a leader in the field of medicine. The establishment of Medicare, the invention of insulin, and the cobalt bomb are all defining moments in Canadian history because they had a lasting impact nationally or internationally. First, the establishment of Medicare was a key and defining moment in Canadian history. Tommy Douglas firmly believed that every Canadian deserved the right to quality healthcare, regardless of their social status. He first started establishing Medicare in Saskatchewan three months after being elected premier of the CCF. Initially, the CCF began providing comprehensive funding for the treatment of mental illnesses, sexually transmitted diseases, and cancer. By January 1, 1945, they had distributed government health cards to all pensioners, all mothers on maternal allowance, and all disabled people in Saskatchewan, entitling them to full Medicare coverage, including drugs. The very first Medicare program was established in the Swift Current area, the poorest region of Saskatchewan. All citizens were afforded all kinds of medical services, such as dental and hospital care. This paved the way for future Medicare programs. (Mason). Medicare represents a defining moment in Canadian history because it greatly helped Canadians, especially those who were not as wealthy, ensure they received adequate medical care without fear of cost. However, the road to this institution was difficult. In 1959, Premier T. C. Douglas had publicized his idea for government-administered full-coverage health insurance that would be suitable for both patients and doctors. Many doctors had campaigned against it in the 1960 election and in September 1961 members of the 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 05, 2014 "Discovery of insulin at the University of Toronto." Heritage University of Toronto. 05 January 2014. "The discovery of insulin". Nobelprize.org. February 2009. 05 January 2014 .Nordqvist, Christian. "Discovery of insulin". Medical news today. April 2012. MediLexicon International. 05 January. 2014 .