Ottawa’s first national strategy on men and boys’ health is a sign that male issues are now less likely to be marginalized
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As far as Justin Trottier is concerned, the federal Liberals’ apparent sudden interest in the troubles of men and boys seems genuine.
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Trottier, longtime director of the Canadian Centre for Men and Families, is grateful for Health Minister Marjorie Michel’s spring launching of the country’s first national strategy on men’s and boys’ health.
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While former prime minister Justin Trudeau often alienated young and middle-aged males, the Liberal government under PM Mark Carney is now showing concern about the crises facing men and boys. As are federal opposition party MPs, and officials in every province.
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The federal government’s new website spotlights some of the troubling statistics about males that Trottier’s non-profit organization, which is one of the nation’s largest devoted to supporting men, boys and families, has been putting out there for more than a decade.
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“Men in Canada face distinct health challenges, including shorter life expectancy, 80 years compared to 84 years in women,” says the government site, titled “Improving the health of men and boys in Canada.”
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“They also experience higher rates of premature death, suicide, substance use and related harms, some sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections, some chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease (and) gambling problems,” says the site, which emphasizes that recognizing men’s issues doesn’t replace efforts on behalf of women.
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The federal health site also captures how males are less likely to engage with primary-care services or access preventive health screening.
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“These differences are not simply biological. For example, men are more likely to have lower education levels, and experience higher rates of incarceration and homelessness than women.”
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Trottier says Canada’s political and cultural context has changed dramatically from a decade ago, when his charitable group, which provides services to about 6,000 males and their children, started to stress “the gaps” between men and boys and women and girls.
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“I think definitely this strategy would have not happened under Trudeau,” Trottier said.
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In addition to the Carney government taking on men’s and boys’ issues, pollsters have been monitoring other ways the Liberals are now starting to appeal to males. Carney has focused on building the economy and announced a plan to recruit 100,000-plus more people into the trades, positions more likely to be filled by males.
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Abacus Data pollster David Coletto says Carney is making inroads among male voters under age 50, a cohort that had a “particular dislike” for Trudeau during his almost decade of power: “I think there was a time when Justin Trudeau’s government did feel hostile to men.”
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A confluence of factors is now drawing the federal and provincial governments to engage men and boys, according to Trottier.
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“I don’t think it would have happened if there wasn’t a legitimate call for prioritization of men and boys from the social service sector and the academic sector. Now I believe politicians can do this and not get significant blowback.”
