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Economy
| Communities |
Politics
| Canadian and World Events |
Local
Events | Personalities |
Religious and Social
Aspects
| Arts/Culture
Economy
The population of Ottawa was approximately 300,000 in 1979, with English
constituting 70% of the population, French 20%, and Ethnic 10%. There
were two school boards governing 151 schools: The Ottawa Board of
Education, and the Roman Catholic Separate School Board. Ottawa also had
11 non-denominational hospitals. The average family income was a little
more than $18,000 and there was less than 6% unemployment.
Communities
The energy crisis of the late 1970’s re-emphasized the importance of
hydraulic power. In 1977, the Fleet Street Pumping Station was declared
a historic site, and the Monuments Branch mounted a plaque on the
station exterior recognizing the original designer, Thomas Coltrin
Keefer. By 1980, it was planned to rehabilitate and maintain a fully
operational pumping station. The Fleet Street Pumping Station design was
conducted during 1981, with a major consideration being the retention of
the architectural features of the original building and grounds as they
appeared in 1900. The station was designated a heritage building in 1982
the American Water Works Association designated it an AWWA Canadian
Water Works landmark.
Downtown Ottawa’s landscape was changed by a facelift to City Hall and a
new courthouse and police station. Nepean built a city hall and
Gloucester a city-centre.
Politics
Ottawa had three different mayors during this time period: Lawrence
Greenberg (1975-1978), Marion Dewar (1979-1985), and Jim Durrell
(1985-1991). Greenberg is perhaps best remembered for jumping into the
Colonel By Fountain in Confederation Park in his underwear, in an effort
to cool off during the rededication ceremonies of the fountain.
Marion Dewar was the champion of the wave of Vietnamese boat people in
Ottawa. 4,000 of who settled here in 1979, just recently celebrating
their 25th anniversary as part of Ottawa. And Jim Durrell signified the
community’s swing from left to right-wing politics.
Four Prime Ministers held office during this time period: Pierre Elliot
Trudeau (1968-1979 and 1980-1984), Joe Clark (1979-1980), John Turner
(June – September 1984), and Brian Mulroney (1984-1993). Once again, we
see the swing from left to right.
This era also saw the deaths of
Charlotte Whitton
(1975) and John Diefenbaker (1979).
Canadian and World Events
Queen Elizabeth II signed Canada’s Constitution proclamation in Ottawa
on April 17, 1982. And in 1983, Prince Charles and Princess Diana paid
Ottawa a visit and were greeted by 30,000 people.
Terry Fox was running his way across Canada in the early 80’s. And while
he only made it to Thunder Bay, he raised millions for cancer research
and marathons in his name continue to raise millions annually.
During this period, we witnessed the Canadian invention of Trivial
Pursuit and beavertails. The world also witnessed the fall of the Berlin
Wall in 1989.
Local Events
On October 23, 1979, the Rideau Club (founded in 1865) burned to the
ground, destroying the 104-year old building, just after it had finally
accepted its first female member, Jean Pigott. The club later reopened
on the top floor of a Bank Street office tower. Also destroyed by fire
in the late 1970’s was the Eglise du Sacré Coeur on Laurier Avenue.
Sunday shopping was instituted in the mid-80’s, to the dismay of some.
The Rideau Centre was constructed in 1982 and the Byward Market was
revitalized, becoming one of Ottawa’s top tourist attractions and
nightspots.
Governor General Jeanne Sauvé closed the grounds of Rideau Hall in 1986.
They were later reopened after numerous public protests.
In 1987, Lauren Forgie gave birth to the city’s first set of
quintuplets.
Personalities
Brian “Killer” Kilrea lead the Ottawa 67’s to their first Ontario Junior
Hockey Title in the 1976-77 season. It was no surprise with talents like
Bobbie Smith on the team.
In 1980, high tech was just beginning in Ottawa and Michael Cowpland and
Terry Matthews were running Mitel, president and vice-president
respectively – both were to become influential personalities in Ottawa.
In 1988, Ottawa native, Elizabeth Manley won a silver-medal in figure
skating at the Calgary Olympics. She received a hero’s welcome on her
return home.
And Nepean’s Bryan Adams released his first solo album, Cuts Like a
Knife, in 1980.
Religion/Social
Here in Ottawa, the first gay pride celebration in our area was
organized in 1986 by Gays of Ottawa (GO), which later became the
Association of Lesbians, Transgender, Gay and Bisexuals of Ottawa (ALTGBO).
In 1989, the pride celebration became a week of activities: dances,
exhibits, films, sporting events, and receptions. These activities were
generally organized under the auspices of GO. 300 people attended the
first parade and picnic, and the mayor of Ottawa, Jim Durrell,
proclaimed Equality Day.
Arts/Culture
The Ottawa International Jazz Festival was started in 1980 by a group of
local Dixieland musicians, including Bob Misener, Tony Pope, Derek
Robertson, and the late Bill Shuttleworth, who all wanted to throw a
summertime party to celebrate and develop the popular jazz scene in
Ottawa. Jazz festivals were still a relatively new phenomenon in
Canadian cities, and there really was no grand design behind Ottawa’s
first edition. However, what began as a weekend of outdoor jazz and beer
in Major’s Hill Park has since become one of the most highly anticipated
musical events of the summer in the National Capital region.
In the early 1980’s the city’s landscape was also transformed by the
construction of the Canadian Museums of Civilization and the National
Gallery, both became major tourist attractions in Ottawa.
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