First men's centre opens its doors in Toronto

Remember the men's rights group who tried to throw a music festival this spring? The Canadian Association for Equality (CAFE), are back in action, opening a new centre following a summer crowdfunding campaign. The Canadian Centre for Men and Families opens today at 152 Carlton St., with a slate of programming providing support for men, including counselling, support groups and workshops.

Centre director Justin Trottier told the National Post that while they focus primarily on what they feel are issues affecting men - low academic engagement, a percieved disadvantage in custody cases, victimhood of sexual assault - they don't stand at odds with feminists. "We want to break down stereotypes and gender barriers wherever they're found. And we see that as really the same project as feminism has."

That's a far more moderate approach than many men's right activists take - but they've aligned themselves with groups who sing a far different tune, like the U.S.-based A Voice For Men. CAFE's own greatest hits include crude comments made by staff toward prominent feminists, giving local journalists the runaround on their aims and affiliations, and lying on their charitable status application.

Their aims of helping at-risk boys and men sound commendable - so long as it's not just them getting their PR straight this time around.

Photo from Justin Trottier's Facebook page