A CHANGING

WORLD:
1982–1990 FOCUIOSN
QUEST
Were the 1980s a
turning point for
IN THIS CHAPTER, Canadians?
WE WILL
• describe how Canadian
identity and international
relations changed from Shifting Trends
1982 to 1990 Music videos, video arcades, computers, and really big hair
• describe some of the were some of the new trends of the 1980s. Thanks to the
ways Canadians have launch of MuchMusic, many Canadian musicians were
memorialized human becoming popular at home and around the world. The
tragedies, and explain world itself was changing with the end of the Cold War and
the liberation of Eastern Europe from rule by the Soviet
their significance for
Union. Conservative governments in Canada, the United
Canadian identity
States, and Britain were expanding trade, which affected
• learn how to work with workers and industry. There were also many social and
continuity and change political changes affecting Canadian society.
Canada gained full independence from Britain in 1982
when it repatriated its constitution. More Canadians
Figure 1 Honeymoon Suite released their first album in 1984,
started working in the information sector. Canadian just before the launch of MuchMusic, the first 24-hour music
families were also changing, due in part to new divorce video channel in Canada. The video for their first single was
laws and more than 50 percent of women in the workforce. frequently played on the new channel. What might the fashion
trends shown by the band members indicate about Canadian
Multiculturalism in Canada was becoming more valued,
society in the 1980s?
and politicians appealed to voters in diverse communities.

186 Unit 5: 1982–Present NEL NEL Chapter 10: A Changing World: 1982–1990 187