Status of Women

The House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women met to study the rise of anti-feminist ideology in Canada. Appearing as witnesses were Marie-Eve Carignan, a full professor and UNESCO Chair holder from the Université de Sherbrooke; Liza Lorenzetti, an associate professor from the University of Calgary; Michael Kehler, a research chair in masculinities studies from the University of Calgary; and Sue Bookchin, executive director of the Be the Peace Institute.

Marie-Eve Carignan described her research on the manosphere, a collection of online antifeminist communities that promote hateful and violent narratives, and noted that young anglophone men in Canada show strong agreement with the idea that feminism is a strategy for women to control society. She recommended better funding and training for traditional media to cover these issues responsibly, regulation of online hate speech, and funding for research to monitor online narratives and develop prevention strategies like prebunking. She also warned that giving visibility to influencers on mainstream platforms can normalize extremist ideas and increase their followings.

Liza Lorenzetti argued that anti-feminist ideology is rooted in colonialism, patriarchy and systemic racism, and is amplified by economic insecurity, climate anxiety and digital platforms that profit from misogyny. She cited a small-scale Alberta survey finding that only 42% of men support gender equality and 83% say gender issues are too politicized, and recommended community-based, culturally resonant peer-led programs for men, as well as policies that address systemic economic and racial inequities. She disagreed with framing the issue as a win-lose conflict between sex-based and gender identity rights, stating that trans and two-spirit communities face higher rates of violence.

Michael Kehler testified that boys and men are shaped by social pressures to perform dominant forms of masculinity, and that anti-feminist ideology is spreading in schools, locker rooms and online spaces like the manosphere. He cautioned against using the term "toxic masculinity" because it essentializes all men as violent, and argued that simply adding more male teachers as role models is not a solution; instead, pedagogical practices that challenge restrictive masculinities are needed. He called for a comprehensive national strategic framework to engage boys and men in Canada, with sustained funding rather than short-term projects.

Sue Bookchin highlighted the convergence of online pornography, sexualized violence, extremist misogyny and the manosphere as forces grooming young men into anti-feminist ideologies, citing the Mass Casualty Commission’s finding that misogyny is a common trait among perpetrators of mass violence. She recommended legislation to regulate hate speech and hold big tech accountable, sustainable funding for community-based violence prevention programs, and a public health approach focused on protective factors for youth. She also stressed the need for age-verification and opt-in features for accessing pornography online, and for addressing misogyny in federal workplaces, including Parliament.

The committee debated a motion by Andréanne Larouche to add three additional meetings to the study. An amendment by Marie-Gabrielle Ménard to reduce the number to two meetings, to be scheduled after the committee’s planned work, was discussed. The Conservatives opposed the extension, arguing the testimony was becoming repetitive and that other studies were pending. The amendment and the motion were put to a vote; the outcome is not recorded in the transcript.