Social safety net was far more extensive?  How long have you lived in Canada?  It was simply less strained back then and living off welfare or being a single parent wasn't something people took pride in. If anything the social safety net has drastically expanded since the 80's with people now expecting/demanding cradle to grave care from the government.

50 years ago Canadians and immigrants were far more self-sufficient than they are today, there was no culture of entitlement.  Your life was what you made of it and it wasn't the role of the government to ensure you succeeded.