Status of Women Committee on Nov. 24th, 2025

[Jean-Michaël Dubé-Rousseau]

I can't comment on colonialism per se.

In terms of intersectionality, people can have layered realities that add a certain amount of pressure.

I don't know if this helps answer your question, but I really get the feeling that antifeminist rhetoric uses the codes of traditional masculinity to attract young men and gradually get them to fall further into hate speech and antifeminist rhetoric. It starts off so simple. For example, they draw in young men by asking them if they want their business to be successful. This is something that is very traditionally masculine. They are also asked if they want to be attractive to girls. That, too, is something that is very traditionally masculine.

They justify themselves by claiming that they are not telling girls that they have to stay at home, that it's their choice. They try to be all nice and sweet and drum up old codes by saying that we have to go back to the wonderful family values of the past. They say it was so much better before. It was great, it was simple, it worked. Families were close-knit.

To me, what they are promoting is a fantasy. It's a mirage. These are things you can't say no to. If you ask people if they are against wonderful family values, they will say no, they are not. Are they against the fact that a man can run a successful business? No, of course they're not against that. Once they have roped them in with these ideas, they drive them deeper into antifeminist ideology.

I don't know if that answers your question, but I don't think I have the expertise to give any other answer than that.

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

I understand. Thank you.

I'll ask you about something that you may have expertise on. Diversity, equity and inclusion is a hot topic, a divisive issue that is ongoing, not just in Canada but all across North America and the world. There are policies that were put in place to make sure that not just women but all gender-diverse people and all minorities are protected and are, basically, given equality of opportunity to participate in our workforce. What impact do you think this negative rhetoric around diversity, equity and inclusion has had on toxic masculinity and on anti-feminist ideology?

[Jean-Michaël Dubé-Rousseau]

It definitely has a negative effect. I feel that this is still something that is going to be used to say that they are looking for the the most qualified person, as if gender-diverse people or people of a different ethnicity who don't fit the straight, white male profile could not be in a highly qualified position or a position of power.

Attacks on diversity and inclusion are very direct and negative. These people think that men are the ones who need to be empowered, need to be in the workforce, need to have people below them and need to be in decision-making positions. We never stop hearing about white men. Clearly, the more space antifeminist rhetoric takes up, the more it sets back equality, diversity and inclusion. Yes, it has a negative effect.

[Iqra Khalid, Liberal, Mississauga—Erin Mills, ON]

Thank you very much.

Ms. Pigeau, do you also want to comment on the impact of negative social media and negative policies against diversity, equity and inclusion?

[Lisa Pigeau]

Thank you. I appreciate the question.

The anti-feminist ideas often create hesitation around gender equity and equality work. They influence whether any program for women and gender-diverse people will receive support, and they encourage narratives that dismiss gender-based violence as exaggerated or political. It leads to slower action and selective funding decisions. For example, when governments stop naming inequality clearly, it becomes easier for harmful assumptions to take hold.

When we look at.... Folks may be considering that diversity, equity and inclusion is harmful. It's actually the opposite. It's harmful not to consider diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of public policy and programming and in government decisions. With the last government, you heard support for a gender-based analysis. We focus all of our work on a Métis-based gendered and intersectional lens that clearly honours and respects the different starting points of everyone.

I'll just refer back to your earlier question around the impacts of colonization and the attempt at total racial—

[The Chair, Conservative, Marilyn Gladu]

I'm sorry. That's the time for that section.

Now we'll go to Madame Larouche for six minutes.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Once again, we realize that this study will be very informative, and I'd like to thank both witnesses for contributing to it.

Mr. Dubé‑Rousseau, I'm going to ask you a question, but first I would like to commend your organization, Partage au Masculin. It reminds me a lot of the Ressource pour hommes de la Haute-Yamaska, in Shefford, a Maison Oxygène with a mission very similar to yours. I had the opportunity to go there and speak with men who use these resources, and I saw how valuable they are in supporting them through difficult times. We realize that it's less obvious for men to seek help. These centres have to work hard to make themselves known to the men who might need them.

You also mentioned the importance of having positive male role models. Mr. Stika, in the previous panel, spoke about the importance of funding for the arts and music. That's a big part of it. Right now, there's a lot of buzz about the series Bellefleur, which focuses on positive masculinity. I don't know if you've had a chance to see it, but it's a series that wants healthy, authentic men, far from the traditional male clichés. It addresses vulnerability, brotherhood and the strength of friendships, while deconstructing male stereotypes.

Mr. Stika suggested, among other things, that more funding be provided for the arts and music. How do you think that could help promote positive role models and reposition this issue of masculinity?

[Jean-Michaël Dubé-Rousseau]

I think young men need to be given more ways to express their emotions or masculinity. We need to give them space to do that. Without these men necessarily starting to express their masculinity, we can start from the basics and help them express their emotions. We need to give men space to talk about what they are going through and show their vulnerability. For many of the men who come to see us at Partage au Masculin, both young and old, it is the first time in their lives that they have had the opportunity to open up about this subject and that they have a place to do so. This place can be within their circle of friends, their family, or their workplace. They can also open up through a form of expression, such as music. They have never had a place to come and say that, beyond the fact that they were angry, they had gone through difficult times and had experienced pain. People often express other things through anger. We know that for many men, anger becomes a vehicle for expressing other emotions, such as sadness, a feeling of betrayal, or suffering.

So yes, I think schools need to provide our young men other ways to express themselves. More generally, we need to value the fact that they have the right to talk about their emotions and give them the space to express what they're going through and what they think, rather than rejecting them and seeing them shut down.

Earlier, I heard something that I really liked: If we don't talk to these young men, if we don't listen to them, antifeminist influencers will. They will listen to them, respond to them, talk to them and allow them to express themselves. That's why we need to use direct methods, such as counselling, discussion groups, service presentations, or school activities, to reach young men where they are. If we can meet adult men in their environment to give them the opportunity to express themselves and it works well for them, it will definitely work well for teenagers, too. If we don't do it, online influencers will. They're going to go to chat rooms, comments under videos, TikTok; they'll go wherever young people are and talk to them.

So young men need to be given a space to express themselves, whether it be an organization like Partage au Masculin, an organization for young people or through activities offered at school. This is important.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

I'm going to be a little chauvinistic and invite you to watch Bellefleur, a series by Sarah-Maude Beauchesne, who is from Granby, and Nicola Morel. We'll talk about it again later.

Speaking of positive measures, I would also like to point out that Auberge sous mon toit, a resource located in Shefford that also helps men, has produced a podcast in which men are interviewed in an effort to spark positive change. It includes beautiful testimonials from men who talk about how seeking help has helped them get through their struggles. Podcasts like this one are very positive.

I hope we can talk about it again in a future round.

Now, I'd like to take the minute I have left to quickly turn to you, Ms. Pigeau.

In a previous answer, you mentioned the role that gender-based analysis can play for indigenous communities. I know that yesterday, one of my colleagues was at the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, which was doing a follow-up study on a report tabled by the Auditor General following an audit to determine whether the government had implemented gender-based analysis plus, or GBA+. Are you referring to this analysis?

Can you tell us, in 30 seconds, how important it is to apply GBA+ properly so that all government measures promote gender equity?

[Lisa Pigeau]

Absolutely. The gender-based analysis plus.... Of course, from our perspective we use a Métis-based gendered and intersectional lens, so we're changing that terminology from simply GBA+ to really emphasize the importance of culture and the experiences that we have through our culture, and also realizing different experiences and intersectionality.

I think the important part about a gendered and intersectional analysis is that it should be applied reflexively. It shouldn't be separate and apart from any policy development or government position. It should be automatically built in.

I'm hoping that I addressed the question appropriately, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Marilyn Gladu]

Yes, absolutely, you did.

I also want to say to our witnesses that if there is something else that you'd like to share with the committee—data or answers to questions that you didn't get a chance to answer—you can send the information to the clerk, and we would be happy to receive it.

Now we do have time for about half of a round, because there's a vigil tonight for the victims of the École Polytechnique shooting.

I think we'll go first to Madame Cody for five minutes.

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

Thank you to all the witnesses for coming out.

I'd like to address my first question to Mr. Dubé-Rousseau.

Thank you for joining us.

The term “anti-feminism” is being used more often in public debate, but it's not clearly defined. When labels are applied broadly, they can shape how men see themselves and how they relate to women. At the same time, these narratives can influence mental health and relationships. Understanding what this term really means in practice is important if we want to ensure that conversations remain respectful and focused on solutions.

From your perspective, should there be a clear definition? In its absence, what does anti-feminism mean in the context of your work, and how do you see this label impacting men's views or treatment of women?

[Jean-Michaël Dubé-Rousseau]

I don't know if I'm the right expert to offer a good definition of antifeminism. I find that people much smarter than I am, who have studied the subject more extensively than I have, have come up with very good definitions of antifeminism. Of course, we need to define it. That said, we must be careful because it's the kind of term that, if poorly defined, can be misperceived by men who already feel rejected by services or who feel that the help available isn't intended for them.

I'll take the time to answer the question properly.

For example, when shelters for women who are victims of domestic violence give presentations in schools, it sometimes seems as though men feel that services don't exist for them and that only women are helped, which isn't true.

I wish the….

Can you repeat your question? I really feel like I'm getting lost.

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

That's okay. I was wondering more about the generalization of the term “anti-feminism”.

What I do want to ask you is this. Suicide among men is on the rise. Are you able to provide the most recent statistics on the suicide rate among men?

[Jean-Michaël Dubé-Rousseau]

I don't have the statistics at hand, but I know that they show that even today there are about three times as many suicides among men as among women. As for the methods used, men tend to use firearms more, which are a much more lethal option for taking one's own life, while women are more likely to use medication.

The fact that it's still difficult for men to ask for help and open up about what they're going through definitely has an impact on suicide rates. For example, when women are on the brink, they are more likely to seek help. Before reaching that point, she talks about it more to her friends or family members. She tells them that she isn't doing well, and they can then direct her to resources for help. In contrast, more traditional men who are experiencing distress tend to shut down and want to get through it on their own at all costs. When that doesn't work, he sees it as a huge failure. He tells himself that he has failed in life, that he's not a real man and, as a result, he wonders whether he deserves to live. Then he will attempt suicide, or he will ask for help when he is very close to acting on his thoughts.

So, yes, suicide statistics show that even today, three to four times more men—depending on the age group—will take their own lives. We must not continue the discourse of toxic masculinity, in which men are encouraged to be successful and told that they must succeed in business and with women. What we're selling them is an unattainable ideal. When they see that it isn't working, they'll be even more inclined to withdraw and see themselves as failures who have missed out on life. They are then more likely to take their own lives.

[Connie Cody, Conservative, Cambridge, ON]

I see.

Do you think the broad negative characterizations are a contributor to the challenges men face, when their concerns are mis-characterized as anti-feminist? Does this actually stop them from seeking the supports they need?

[Jean-Michaël Dubé-Rousseau]

Ideologies of toxic masculinity are clearly preventing men from seeking the help they need. In traditional masculinity, a man must cope on his own, he needs to be strong, he must never falter, and he is not allowed to show his emotions or show weakness. It's clear that these ideals of toxic masculinity and antifeminism harm men and prevent them from seeking the help they need when they're in distress, whether it be—

[The Chair, Conservative, Marilyn Gladu]

Thank you very much. Ms. Cody's time is up.

Ms. Chenette, you have the floor for five minutes.

[Madeleine Chenette, Liberal, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Thank you to the witnesses. This is a great discussion.

Ms. Pigeau, I'm going to repeat the question that my colleague asked you about the consequences of colonization, since you didn't have a chance to finish answering it. I'd like you to tell us more about that.

You could also add to your comments by telling us about the reality of Métis and indigenous communities, where the power relationship has shifted. It's more of a victim's logic, given everything that's been experienced.

What should we learn from this reality? Their current narrative is that these men are victims, so how can we remedy the situation? What have you learned that could help us deal with all this toxic masculinity in a more comprehensive way?

[Lisa Pigeau]

Colonization has been well studied and well documented. The impacts are pervasive. They affect every area of our lives as Métis people, in my case, and more specifically Métis women, taking away our traditional roles and taking us away from being the dominant society in Canada toward being submissive and subject to genocide and so on.

We saw that word used predominantly in the missing and murdered indigenous women and girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ work in the inquiry. Through those recommendations and our ensuing report, “Weaving Miskotahâ”—“miskotahâ” means “change”—we had 62 Métis-specific calls that relate to how colonization has impacted our security, our safety, our education, our employment and our place and space in leadership, in governance and in every single aspect. I can certainly provide that report to the committee.

I do want to reiterate one thing I brought forth in my intervention. Feminism is not about undermining the needs and role of men in our communities. We all have very important roles. That role is joint. That's what colonization really destroyed, the concept of working together and how it's not us against them. From my perspective, that is what feminism is about. It's about honouring everyone in our community. Colonization specifically just completely stopped that ideology. It's taken hundreds and hundreds of years to destroy that concept, but at Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak, we work every day to try to rebuild that. That is what the Métis reality looks like specifically for Métis women.

I also want to touch on the previous question to my co-panellist about suicide. What we lack in our community is Métis-specific and disaggregate data to be able to move forward and to be able to fully understand the problem and concept. Data is what we really need to work towards.

Thank you.

[Madeleine Chenette, Liberal, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Thank you very much.

Mr. Dubé‑Rousseau, we're looking at the reality of young men and wondering what we can do to improve it. We have ideas, but I want to come back to the situation of adults and the effects of influencers. Basically, young men absorb all this toxicity and then become active on the ground.

Of course, we need to work with both men and women. However, if you have limited resources, what needs to be done to really help both women cope with the situation and men change their behaviour? Should we focus on those who behave appropriately and value them more? Where would you wave your magic wand to really change things?

[Jean-Michaël Dubé-Rousseau]

At Partage au Masculin, whether on our social networks as we do now, or through more traditional media as we did before, we have always worked to convey the message that men can break away from all this toxic, antifeminist and company narratives and be positive role models for themselves, their families and their communities.

I think we have to keep hammering away at this and telling men not to listen to these speeches or get involved in this kind of thing. They have a right to be men who show their emotions. They are equals to women. They can be more than just someone bringing money home. They can get involved in their children's lives and with their spouse to share household chores, in particular.

So we have to continue to show them that there are different and positive models. That's what I would work on. How it manifests itself—

[The Chair, Conservative, Marilyn Gladu]

Thank you very much, Mr. Dubé‑Rousseau. Ms. Chenette's time is up.

Ms. Larouche, you have the last turn. You have two and a half minutes.

[Andréanne Larouche, Bloc, Shefford, QC]

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

I'm going to try to ask each witness a quick question.

Mr. Dubé‑Rousseau, we have clearly understood the importance of having resources to support men and show positive role models.

What else can we do to deconstruct this victim narrative that's developing in the androsphere and in the online communities that are rallying members of this movement? Do you have any other suggestions for solutions?

[Jean-Michaël Dubé-Rousseau]

I feel that, when men are deeply immersed in this, it's as if they're in a cult. I don't know if that's a good comparison. Perhaps I don't know enough about the difference between a cult and the androsphere, but in my humble opinion, when people are immersed in it, I really get the impression that they're part of a cult. No matter what we try to tell them, if it goes against what the cult says, it won't fly. They'll always say that we're the ones who don't understand because we're not involved in it. They'll tell us that we're wrong and that we should join them, because they're the ones who are right.

What needs to be done to reach these men and get them out of this situation? I am tempted to say that the question is similar to the one we might ask ourselves if we were trying to remove someone from a cult. Unfortunately, I don't have an answer to that question.

What I'm saying is intense, but that's honestly the image I have in mind.