Tommy Douglas’s Status as Historic Figure Under Review by Federal Department for His Beliefs on Eugenics

Tommy Douglas’s Status as Historic Figure Under Review by Federal Department for His Beliefs on Eugenics
Tommy Douglas is surrounded by supporters as he arrives at the Palace Theatre to address an NDP rally in Hamilton, Ont., on June 11, 1968. The Canadian Press
Marnie Cathcart
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The late founding leader of the federal New Democratic Party, Tommy Douglas, is under review as a national historic figure by the Directory of Federal Heritage Designations because he wrote a thesis paper for his master’s degree on eugenics.

The Historic Sites and Monuments Board is examining Mr. Douglas’s “controversial beliefs and behaviour,” according to his profile on the government department’s website. Mr. Douglas was officially designated as an historic figure on June 6, 2016, but that is now “identified for review,” according to the board.