In the early 1980s, Toronto surpassed Montreal in population with a population of 3 million versus 2.8 million for Montreal. Several factors contributed to Toronto’s growth over Montreal, including substantial immigration, especially from Asians and African Americans, the growing auto industry in Southern Ontario after the Auto Pact was signed with the US in 1965, a calmer political environment, lower personal income taxes than in Quebec (Quebec experienced two referendums on separation during these years, one in 1980 and one in 1995). Most Canadian companies have their head offices in Toronto, which also became the corporate capital of Canada.
During the 1980s, manufacturing jobs in Toronto had become more specialized (e.g., electronics), and the significant shift was to service jobs as Toronto became a major financial, administration, real estate, insurance, educational, wholesale, retailing, and tourism destination. Five of the six national banks were located in the city, making it the nation’s financial capital. Consequently, the town saw high-density core development and suburbanization, which increased the need for public transportation.
Here are some stunning vintage photos that will take you back to the 1980s in Toronto. It seems like the 1980s were not too distant from today, but they were different. It was a large city, but it still felt like a small town. The environment seemed safe, clean, and endlessly exciting.
Don’t give into the nostalgia. It was not better then
Maybe not but it was a much simpler time for the average Canadian at least before the big recession at the end of the 80s. Can’t blame people for having some nostalgia for that lifestyle
Yes. Yes it was.
People were nicer. The stores didn’t need signs that said, “Abuse of our staff will not be tolerated.” Because stores didn’t need to say it.
Porch pirates? In 1980, you’d think that would mean someone who actually stole your porch.
Someone like Donald Trump would never have gotten within 100 miles of the White House.
If you called a business, live people would actually answer the phone.
People actually watched where they were walking because they didn’t have their nose stuck in their cell phone.
It was fun getting the newspapers on the weekend because of all the extra supplements.
Christmas catalogues.
Yes, everything was better.
There was a B movie actor as president who was the Trump of his day
Dan “If we don’t succeed, we run the risk of failure” Quayle was one bullet away from becoming president.
You mean one potatoe.
Trump makes Reagan look like FDR.
No.
Metro Toronto Police still had its Morality Squad, and their harassment actions against LGBTQ+ folks were still happening.
The Stockyards and the Glidden Paint factory (along with many other factories peppered around town) still pumped out filthy air and odours on the west end — rendering entire neighbourhoods barely habitable. The Junction was still dry.
King Street West after dark was basically a seedy nowhere land, full of warehouses. There was the former Consumers Gas brownfield and the stalled Ataratiri. And so on.
It was cheaper.
It depends on your frame of reference. A city in the past is always “worse” for someone, somehow. Generally, growing up, Toronto streets were pretty clean in the 80s.
We had a huge two-bedroom with full-length balcony for $500 a month (Kennedy and Egg) and I was literally driving across to Dixie and the 401 in HALF AN HOUR lol. So ya, more affordable and traffic was better.
Nice. Thanks! PIC. 105.
What building is this/was this? I cannot ever remember seeing it in Toronto?
Looks like the Montreal City Hall.
Nuts. That’s it. I was hoping somehow in 31 years I had missed this building….
#107 and #108 are Montréal. #105 is in front of the Hard Rock Café, before the well-known re-brand.
There’s the Bamboo. I once bought a silver ring for my boyfriend from a vendor standing at that location. It was the coolest thing, it had a rotating moon face on a thin silver dowel that you could flip to happy or sad.
Late 90’s to about 2015 was a bit of a golden age for the city. A lot of the worst issues had been substantially improved but prices weren’t at the moon. The population was busy but not as crushing as it is now. It was a good time.
I turned 15 in 1980. I was a suburban kid who would start hanging out in the city because it was the cool place to be. When I was 18, I got my first car and would be cruising the Yonge Street strip on Saturday nights with my buddies.
These pictures brought back so many memories and to be able to see once again what I saw 40 and 45 years ago was a nostalgic trip through my teenage years.
Thank you for sharing.