Acronyms
This is the monthly government pension most Canadians pay into during their working years and start collecting when they retire.
What is CPP (Canadian Pension Plan)?
In 1985, filling up the tank in Toronto wasn't nearly as painful as it is today, with a litre of regular gas averaging around this many cents.
What is 45 to 50 cents?
This was the very first job that Tess held before she began their long-standing career.
What is caregiver in Hong Kong?
The classic, minty, white ointment that is used to suppress coughs and relieve minor muscle aches.
What is Vicks?
The number of siblings that Tess has (not including her)
What is 3?
This is a savings account that allows you to invest money without ever paying tax on the gains.
What is a TFSA (Tax Free Savings Account)?
Long before smartphones, on-call hospital nurses in 1985 had to carry this small, clip-on hip device that beeped loudly to tell them to find the nearest landline.
What is a Pager (or Beeper)?
This drink was the absolute fuel behind every single one of Tess's morning shifts, usually found in her hand or cooling down on a nursing station desk.
What is Coffee?
The standard, over-the-counter painkiller that is used to relieve a headache.
What is Tylenol?
The exact month and year her very first grandchild was born.
What is March 15th, 2012?
This is a savings account that you must convert into an income fund by the end of the year you turn 71.
What is an RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan)?
This iconic sci-fi movie starring Michael J. Fox was the highest-grossing film of 1985, featuring a time-traveling DeLorean.
What is Back to the Future?
Tess dedicated this exact number of years to her current workplace, surviving countless shift changes, coffee refills, and patient charts before finally hanging up her uniform.
What is 24 years?
This pink, chalky liquid medicine is used after eating too much heavy food.
What is Pepto Bismol?
The number of years that Tess has been away from the Philippines.
What is 45 years?
This monthly, age-standardized payment is available to most Canadians aged 65 or older, funded entirely out of general government revenues.
What is OAS (Old Age Security)?
In 1985, the absolute pinnacle of home video entertainment was buying or renting a movie on this rectangular tape format.
What is a VHS tape?
For her very first getaway as a free woman, Tess is planning a dream trip to visit this tropical island paradise, where she can soak up the sun and enjoy the ultimate beach life.
What is the Philippines?
This common over-the-counter medication is widely used to treat pain and reduce fever and is frequently prescribed in low daily doses to help prevent heart attacks.
What is Asprin?
The number of years that Tess was a nanny.
What is 2 years?
This is a tax-free monthly benefit designed specifically for low-income OAS recipients, ensuring seniors meet a minimum income standard.
What is the GIS (Guranteed Incone Supplement)?
This Progressive Conservative politician served as the 18th Prime Minister of Canada, leading the country throughout the entire year of 1985.
Who was Brian Mulroney?
From her very first paycheck all the way to her final clock-out, this is the grand total of unique jobs Tess held throughout her entire lifetime.
What is 5?
This popular brand-name medication belongs to a class of drugs called NSAIDs and is widely used to target inflammation, muscle aches, and menstrual cramps.
What is Ibuprofen?
The name of the workplace that Tess is currently working/will retire from.