A federal report released last week examines challenges in boys’ and men’s health and feeds into a national strategy expected in early 2027, with advocates calling it an initial move.
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A federal report released last week outlines challenges related to boys’ and men’s health as the government works toward a national strategy expected to be released in early 2027.
The report, which took into account input from nearly 6,000 people and organizations, raises concerns about stereotypes about masculinity and points to a need for increased access to support and community spaces.
Catherine Corriveau, director of policy and advocacy for Movember, called the report a “good ‘first step,’” saying it is “the first step of a very long staircase” toward understanding the scope of men and boys’ health in Canada.
Corriveau said the strategy needs to consider different experiences across the country, adding that the report cannot share all perspectives gathered through the feedback process involving 6,000 participants.
She also said the federal approach would be more credible if the eventual strategy is linked to serious funding rather than treated as a policy document without resources.
Health Canada says the first federal health strategy for men and boys will be released in early 2027; Health Minister Marjorie Michel had previously said it would be released later this year.
Bijan Rafii, executive director of the Canadian Centre for Men and Families in York Region, said the initiative is “very long overdue,” and said he hopes issues not covered in the report will be addressed in the strategy, including intimate partner violence and the impact of divorce on men and boys.
Conservative MP Jamil Jivani has also called for a national health strategy for men and boys and has urged participation in the government’s consultation process, including through town halls with other members of Parliament and a June letter to Michel outlining concerns raised during consultations.
In remarks attributed to Jivani, he said the report includes good elements but did not cover issues he raised, and he linked his frustration to the government’s decision to delay the strategy’s release to 2027.
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