The Greatest Canadian: Grandfather to Kiefer Sutherland?!

Yes, the Greatest Canadian series on CBC wrapped up tonight with the announcement of the winner. And the tiara and flowers go to...

Tommy Douglas!

The former premier of Saskatchewan, leader of the CCF, and the 'father' of medicare, held on to his lead (despite surges from Terry Fox and Pierre Trudeau) from the very first episode to capture the crown.

Now, according to my post HERE, I thought the emotional appeal of Terry Fox would've won it for him at the end. I guess I underestimated the now almost-scary fascination with the medicare system that Canadians have. That, or George Stroumboulopoulos was very convincing (I'm not so sure). People in some quarters (not naming names) will probably argue that the NDP wasted its time by mass e-mailing their supporters to vote for their hero instead of attacking the PM (oh wait, they did both...) Over at Armchair Garbageman, the theory there is the population over 50 that put Douglas over the top. Seems like the boomers just have to control EVERYTHING, don't they?

But if people were convinced just because of health care, I'm going to be pissed. As much as i support public health-care, we need to define Canadian society by more than just that. Seriously, if public health-care is the only jewel in our public policy arsenal that we can be proud of, well, we're in a lot of trouble here, fellas. But that's a debate for another late night.

For some consolation, I was able to predict the Top Three (Terry Fox was runner up while Pierre Trudeau took the bronze). But then, anyone could've done that, so really, after everything's said and done, I've nothing to show for it, because I didn't pick the right horse.

Congratulations, Tommy Douglas, wherever you are (Probably in the great Parliament in the sky)...