Book Description

Toronto’s Last Rainbow paints a nostalgic portrait of Toronto in a bygone era from the point of view of one central neighbourhood. It catches the spirit of the times just ahead of the feminist era. With poignancy and humour it follows an amazing cast of real and imaginary residents, each with a strong and unique voice, each human and fallible, through their daily lives. This book features serious issues of the time such as the lack of access to safe abortion, and the growing number of divorces. Then, most mothers stayed at home. Parents had the time to organize for their children annual events like the Summerhill Fair with free candy floss and donkey rides in the summer, and Halloween in late fall. However, feminist issues were stirring, family life would be changing; women were looking to work outside the home and showing a growing interest in non-traditional areas of work. Residents then faced issues like bullying, suicide, and a violent crime in the neighbourhood, that resonate today. During 1969, Canada became officially bilingual; the important Morgentaler decision started the nation’s move towards safe abortion. Toronto’s citizens elected a new city government, devoted to a changed concept of development; turning away from building expressways across the city centre. This pivotal year saw the start of a twenty-year era of progress for the (then) City of Toronto.