As a kid goaltender who stopped watching hockey a long time ago, I've nevertheless maintained my curiosity about the evolution of goalie equipment. Somehow I happened upon the website of the Norwich Merchants, a small-town junior C team about an hour southwest of Hamilton, and found an annual team photo page going back 50 years.
http://www.norwichjrcmerchants.com/team-photos.html
The first season a goalie shows up with non-brown pads, blocker and catcher is 1988-89. After that it's pretty much only multi-coloured equipment. Does that seem about right with nationwide trends?
Another thing I noticed is that the crease at the bottom of the pads gradually gets more vertical around that time. I've always found that odd-looking, because when I was playing in the 70s and early 80s it was absolutely imperative for the pads to have as deep an angle as possible, essentially an L-shape.
I never bought a pair of pads at Kenesky's in Hamilton (way too expensive), but all of us kids who were goalies were aware of the store's towering reputation in the field, and any gossipy mention of someone's purchase of goalie equipment from Kenesky's was met with reverence and awe.
Interesting stuff, and part of Canada's cultural history.