The committee studied the rise of anti-feminist and masculinist narratives online and their impact on gender equality and violence against women. Appearing were Léa Clermont-Dion, associate professor at Concordia University; Jacqueline Neapole, executive director of the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women; David Morin, full professor and UNESCO Chair in the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Extremism at Université de Sherbrooke; and Keeley Prockiw, a Red Seal endorsed welder.
Léa Clermont-Dion described masculinist narratives as anti-feminist counter-narratives that blame feminists and women for a crisis of masculinity, promoted by influencers like Andrew Tate whose videos were viewed billions of times. She cited data showing 34% of Montreal high school students agree with statements about male control over girlfriends and that 75% of young people aged 15 to 25 believe myths questioning sexual assault victims’ credibility. She recommended the federal government recognize the severity of the phenomenon, invest in Canadian research and data collection, and fund educational programs to deconstruct hate speech and disinformation, noting that Canada lacks sufficient data compared to the United Kingdom.
Jacqueline Neapole defined anti-feminism as the belief that women should not have full equality, positioning it within a broader regressive movement that blames women’s rights for societal problems. She reported that women’s rights organizations face increased harassment and threats, leading to staff burnout and security measures, and that chronic underfunding has weakened their capacity to respond. She recommended stronger social safety nets, investments in health care and education, and sustained operational or core funding for national women’s rights organizations rather than short-term project funding.
David Morin presented survey data showing 30% of young anglophone men aged 18 to 34 believe feminism is a strategy to control society, and nearly 40% think equality has been achieved so feminism is unnecessary, while young women hold opposite views, indicating growing polarization. He linked anti-feminist narratives to violent extremism, citing the Polytechnique massacre and the Yonge Street attack, and argued that online platforms and video games have become key spaces for spreading hate and recruiting young men. He recommended better regulation of harmful online content, as proposed in Bill C-63, and more resources for prevention programs and support for violent young men, while cautioning against punitive measures alone.
Keeley Prockiw shared her personal experiences of abuse and harassment in the male-dominated trades, noting that anti-feminist attitudes undermine women’s safety and retention in the industry. She emphasized the importance of male advocates who genuinely support women and called for education at the trade school level on interpersonal skills and equity, as well as stronger protections for apprentices who are often isolated with supervisors. She disagreed with the idea that workplace culture is improving, stating that a disconnect exists between management perceptions and ground-level realities, and recommended that companies believe women who report abuse.
The committee also heard exchanges where members questioned witnesses about the role of positive male role models, the impact of federal funding cuts, and the need for data collection. No procedural debate, motions, or votes occurred during this meeting.
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