No, that is incorrect. I don't know where you are getting that information. The pre-facelift models (1980-only) used the 1.5L A1-C engine, the AL10.
The facelift models (1981-1982) upgraded the engine to a different 1.5L A3-C engine, the AL12.
https://importarchive.com/toyota/tercel/1980-1982
That was for the USA. According to lists found at partsouq.com, Canada had a different range. Partsouq is like ToyoDIY.com, except you get a list of all variants instead of just the one you need. I'll try to post a link.
https://partsouq.com/en/catalog/genuine/pick?c=Toyota&ssd=%24*KwHwqq3J8fL1AAAAANXs9cs%3D%24&model=TERCEL&f_frame=&f_year=&f_fuel-induction=&f_grade=&f_body=&f_driver-s-position=&f_engine=&f_destination=CANADA&f_gear-shift-type=&f_atm-mtm=&f_no-of-doors=
(That didn't work. Just copy-paste the whole link).
If you change the "Destination" filter from Canada to USA, you will indeed get the 1980 models with an AL10 code and the later ones with AL12.
