The Saskatchewan New Democratic Party (NDP) is a social democratic provincial political party that governed Saskatchewan from 1944-1964 (as the CCF), 1971-1982, and 1991-2007. The Saskatchewan CCF under Tommy Douglas was the first social democratic government in North America, introducing innovations like medicare that later spread nationally. The party emphasizes public services, worker rights, and economic equality. After governing for much of the 20th century, the NDP has been in opposition since 2007, currently facing the Saskatchewan Party government. The party draws support from labour unions, urban centres, and northern communities. Saskatchewan's NDP is organizationally linked to the federal NDP.