Anti-feminist Ideologies in 'Manosphere' Threaten Women's Safety in Canada, MPs Warn

Anti-feminist ideologies, increasingly promoted online within the "manosphere," are making women and girls in Canada less safe, according to a new report from the House of Commons status of women committee. Parliamentarians are urging the government to take more action to combat this extremism, which advocates for traditional, regressive roles for women and has been linked to multiple violent incidents.

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Increasingly prominent anti-feminist ideologies are leading to growing harms against women and girls in Canada.

During a months-long study, the committee heard from witnesses, including senior officials from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), who testified that anti-feminist ideology is becoming "increasingly relevant" to Canada's national security. Conservative MP Anna Roberts stated that "hatred, extremism and discrimination has no place in our society, particularly when directed towards women," highlighting concerns about hostility toward women and gaps in the justice system's response to violence against them.

Committee chair Dominique Vien noted that witnesses struggled to pinpoint a single cause for the rise in anti-feminism, suggesting factors like violence towards women, the cost of living, and general despair could fuel such sentiments. Some men, she added, feel women "take up too much space."

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Hatred, extremism and discrimination has no place in our society, particularly when directed towards women.

The report indicates that rising economic uncertainty and feelings of hopelessness among young people are being exploited by the "manosphere." This online network of male influencers promotes narratives blaming feminism for men's struggles, often glorifying the domination and dehumanization of women. Liberal MP Marie-Gabrielle Ménard pointed out that these influencers profit financially by selling to a vulnerable, targeted audience.

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Violence towards women, the cost of living, despair among families, that can fan those flames of anti-feminism.

The committee's study was prompted by incidents such as the 2018 Toronto van attack, where the perpetrator was inspired by "incels," or self-described involuntary celibates. Statistics Canada has tracked a rise in police-reported incidents related to gender-based violence.

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It’s a way for many to make money, to sell to a targeted audience who become vulnerable. And it’s profitable.