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Justin Trottier is Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Men and Families, a men’s health, and social service facility. The Centre is an open, inclusive and space serving as a hub for counseling, legal aid, fathering programs and trauma support groups. He is Founder of the Canadian Association for Equality, a registered educational charity that seeks to integrate boys and men into our efforts to advance gender equality. Justin has played a leadership role in a variety of humanist, secularist, and skeptic organizations, appearing frequently in the media advocating for church-state separation, fundamental freedoms and humanist ethics. There is a crowdsourced funding campaign for their men’s shelter campaign here. Here we talk about men and boys, and CAFE.

The interviewed started on the base mission of the Canadian Centre for Men and Families (CAFE). Trottier stated that CAFE is an educational charity around the issues of gender equality. As per their Statement of Values, they have an interest in equality of the sexes. The focus of the educational charity is the issues of men and boys.

The work involves trying to bring men into the fold of work towards greater gender equality. Trottier noted that he has worked with equality and social justice organizations before. Also, that CAFE wants to be a part of the gender equality community with some extra pieces oriented around the needs of men and boys.

“Hopefully, also, it will be looking at the issues women’s groups and LGBTQ groups have brought up. It is trying to tackle them from different sides. I will give an example of what I mean. There is a lot of emphasis on recruiting women into STEM program,” Trottier said, “The sciences and engineering professions, I think this is important. However, at the same time, you should be focusing on getting men into the traditional female fields like early childhood education, teaching, nursing, social service work, etc. Those two efforts are actually related.”

Trottier the efforts to get women into areas where they are underrepresented, which means the men will need somewhere to go. But those other areas for the men have stigmas against them entering them. He considers the encouragement of men an appropriate aspect of the work for finding more fulfilling professional vocations for men and women.

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He continued, “When we focus on men’s issues, we are supporting men and women and helping society in gender. On the family court, as you mentioned in another conversation, if we want to advance women’s professional fulfillment, then encouraging men to take on more of a role as a caregiver would help with it.”

Trottier thinks this is the missing piece. Because women’s issues and men’s issues are interrelated. One cannot exist without the other. And they connect in some complex ways too. This, he considers, the unique aspect of the CAFE, of which it is bringing into the gender equality discussion in Canada.

The next line of questioning went into the upcoming and ongoing initiatives for the CAFE. Trottier talked about the operation of a center and a shelter. Those are undergoing fundraising at the moment. It is the first of its kind for abused children and fathers. I will open in Toronto, Ontario, Canada within the next year.

“We also do a public education series through guest lectures, debates, and all different kinds of events. Those that raise awareness around the issues we have been discussing. In Toronto, where our headquarters, it is where it was born,” Trottier explained.

He noted that CAFE is active in major city centers including Calgary, Montreal, and Vancouver, and, indeed, all across Canada. There are many branches being founded throughout the nation in order to advance their mission and provide proper services to different communities and cities, in addition to education. CAFE remains interested in anyone with an interest in educational and advocacy issues.

Men are a large portion of the veteran population, who have unique needs in society. The CAFE does have veterans in the trauma programs, e.g. dealing with PTSD. It is part and parcel of the trauma, counseling, and support groups of the CAFE. They have therapists who have experience in supporting veterans.

Trottier stated, “Over the next few months, they will be focusing on the issues for men in war. We will look at a wide array of issues, not exclusive to men, but men are probably more affected by them than women. Historically, if you look at it, it is mostly men. What effect did that have on men and masculinity? You want to explore the historical aspects of men and warfare.”

The CAFE has an emphasis on the warfare for men in the modern world with an educational, a public outreach, and a public service set of aspects. They will look at combat zones and the psychological effects on both men and women. I knew of some of the work being done in these areas including Dr. Marvin Westwood based in UBC.

It seemed like a good investment to me. I argued, with the healing of trauma, the men will be more productive citizens, live healthier lives, and so produce healthier families and children.

“Yes, that is a really good point. We stressed that. The benefits are not only to the individual men. They are going to be transforming their lives and the lives of everyone they touch. Obviously, it will improve their families, so women and children. But also, it will help society, work, and the institutions they interact with,” Trottier said, “Society benefits when we help anybody deal with the trauma they deal with. Many of the people who walk through my door are women. They are women who are reaching out to us on behalf of male loved ones – maybe, a male loved one, brother, son, a friend. We have seen it all.”

Trottier concluded by stating that there is this notion that a men’s center would be a no women’s allowed space. However, anyone who has come to the CAFE will note that more than half of the volunteers and counselors present are women. It makes for a diverse experience and interaction with people with volunteers and staff.

“They come away understanding how much this is a progressive, diverse organization making a difference in the lives of men and their families.”

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Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash