Emmett Hall

Born: November 9, 1898
Died: November 12, 1994
Place of Birth: St.Columban, Quebec

• Emmett Hall is sometimes referred to as the "father" of Canada's medicare program.

• His family moved from Quebec to Saskatchewan in 1910.

• Hall graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1919 with a law degree.

• One individual Emmett Hall had been friends with was a fellow student whose name was John Diefenbaker.

• He had a successful law practice that included being a university professor for the next three decades in the province.

• Hall was appointed by Diefenbaker as Chief of Saskatchewan's Court of the Queen's bench in 1957.

• In 1961, Emmett Hall was made Chief Justice of Saskatchewan and a year later was appointed to Canada's Supreme Court.

• He was next appointed to chair a Royal Commission that was to make recommendations concerning the health system in Canada.

• In 19964, the Commission released a report simply referred to as the Hall Report.

• The Hall Report became the foundation for the health services in Canada provided by the federal and provincial governments.

• Emmett Hall also contributed in reports dealing with the education system in Ontario and the court system in Saskatchewan.

• He was made a Companion in the Order of Canada.

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Last Updated: April 2, 2013
© Canada-Heros/Don Jones 2002-2013