Who is CCMF?

The Canadian Centre for Men and Families is a mental health and social service hub delivering programs and services for boys, men, fathers and their families. Our vision focuses on three critical areas:
1. Reduce suicide among men at high-risk through intervention programs that confront the barriers that men face.
2. Empower fathers undergoing separation and divorce through legal clinics and fathering groups that strengthen the father-child relationship, while working to promote positive social attitudes toward fatherhood
3. Support men who are experiencing domestic abuse and work with other agencies to improve services for boys and men.
In addition to delivering front-line programs and services to families in crisis, we undertake evidence-based research, host public education and awareness activities, and work to improve public policies to better support all Canadians.

Learn More
Daughter & Father

Canada Child Benefit

Did you know a low income single father can only access child benefits with approval from a female partner? The Government of Canada presumes, in the very article of the law, that fathers are secondary parents. Let's end gender discrimination in the Income Tax Act. 

Look Behind the Mask

75% of suicides are Men. 100% of suicides are preventable. Even in the best of times, men often suffer from a lack of strong social networks. During a pandemic, social isolation can be a killer for men. Learn the warning signs and how to intervene effectively.

International Men and Families Conferences

We co-organize the annual International Men and Families Conference, featuring 40+ presenters from 20+ countries, focusing on father involvement, parental alienation, false allegations, male identity, suicide and mental health, family violence and the needs of boys.

Healthy Fathers.
Healthy Families

Both scholarly research and the lived experiences of our clients agree. Healthy and involved fathers make for healthy and strong children and families. Join us for a week of exciting events every third week in June!

Testimonials

“CCMF has been an absolute life saver. Finally, to have found a guiding light in a dismal, seemingly endless tunnel of dark turmoil. Thank you to all staff and volunteers. I would be in a much worse spot and condition without your help and compassion.”

“The support from CCMF was of great relief to me at a time when isolation during COVID19 lockdowns and emotional issues with family was affecting my mental health severely. I was experiencing insomnia and anxiety but my therapist suggested activities and supported me to feel better.”

“The value to self-esteem, men supporting men, can’t be understated. CCMF provides a great platform to achieve this.”

“This is the only service I saw in my life which helps and supports men for recovery. Thank you so much for your brilliant service and help.”

“I was in a negative situation with my spouse and I had nowhere to turn. I was fortunate in my research online and I found the center of men and families and only they were able to help me in my time of need. Several other local help agencies were not there for me. I am thankful that I reached out to the men’s center.”

“Parental alienation devastates families. I’ve spoken to young fathers who were suicidal. There’s not much support, other than the Canadian Centre for Men and Families, for fathers who are alienated and trying to rebuild relationships with their kids.”

Major Sponsors

PoM #22 - Don Hubin on shared parenting's role in reducing violence

Canadian Centre for Men and Families November 8, 2025 1:00 pm

Inspiring Boys, Empowering Fathers, Transforming Lives

A new Podcast Series from the Canadian Centre for Men and Families
Visit https://menandfamilies.org/get-involved/public-policy/inspiring-boys/

Healthy Boys, Men, Families, Communities.
Learn more and register for programs at https://www.menandfamilies.org.
Make a tax deductible charity gift at https://www.menandfamilies.org/donation

“The  underachievement of boys in the education system is a really serious issue faced by parents, teachers and all of society. “
Dr. James S. Brown, MA, MEd EdD - Author of: 
Rescuing our Underachieving Sons
 
"Boys are falling behind in education, mental health, and a sense of purpose—creating a crisis that affects families, communities, and the future of our society."
Dr. Warren Farrel, Author of:  The Boy Crisis,

“In discussing gender differences in education, it's crucial to consider the interaction of biology, culture, and education systems, recognizing that these differences are not immutable but can change with societal evolution and educational reforms. Moreover, the conversation must be sensitive to the diversity within each gender, acknowledging that individual experiences can significantly vary from these broad trends”. 
Christina Hoff Sommers - Author of: The War on Boys

As we look around, it’s clear that boys are facing significant challenges in today’s society—especially in education, mental health, and relationships. Boys are increasingly falling behind in school, and a growing disparity between boys and girls is becoming more evident.
Historically, when girls faced barriers to success, society took proactive steps to level the playing field, helping them thrive. Now, boys are disengaging from education, social connections, and in some cases, even life itself. It’s time to adjust our approach, inspire our boys, and help them unlock their full potential. It’s time for us to shift our focus and create an environment where boys can succeed just as girls do today.

Data from the past decade shows alarming trends with boys: lower literacy scores,  higher school dropout rates, increased depression, disengagement, lower post-secondary attendance, and rising unemployment along with substance abuse among young men. This lack of participation in society can often lead to depression and, tragically, suicide. A healthy society depends on healthy fathers, healthy sons, and healthy communities.

We need to inspire and support our boys today to ensure a better future for everyone. We envision a future where every boy is equipped to succeed academically, emotionally, and socially. By inspiring our boys now, we create a generation of leaders, innovators, and role models who will drive a brighter, more equitable future for all.

Let’s take action today—when our boys succeed, life improves for everyone.

Inspiring Boys, Empowering Fathers, Transforming Lives

A new Podcast Series from the Canadian Centre for Men and Families
Visit https://menandfamilies.org/get-involved/public-policy/inspiring-boys/

Healthy Boys, Men, Families, Communities.
Learn more and register for programs at https://www.menandfamilies.org.
Make a tax deductible charity gift at https://www.menandfamilies.org/donation

“The underachievement of boys in the education system is a really serious issue faced by parents, teachers and all of society. “
Dr. James S. Brown, MA, MEd EdD - Author of:
Rescuing our Underachieving Sons

"Boys are falling behind in education, mental health, and a sense of purpose—creating a crisis that affects families, communities, and the future of our society."
Dr. Warren Farrel, Author of: The Boy Crisis,

“In discussing gender differences in education, it's crucial to consider the interaction of biology, culture, and education systems, recognizing that these differences are not immutable but can change with societal evolution and educational reforms. Moreover, the conversation must be sensitive to the diversity within each gender, acknowledging that individual experiences can significantly vary from these broad trends”.
Christina Hoff Sommers - Author of: The War on Boys

As we look around, it’s clear that boys are facing significant challenges in today’s society—especially in education, mental health, and relationships. Boys are increasingly falling behind in school, and a growing disparity between boys and girls is becoming more evident.
Historically, when girls faced barriers to success, society took proactive steps to level the playing field, helping them thrive. Now, boys are disengaging from education, social connections, and in some cases, even life itself. It’s time to adjust our approach, inspire our boys, and help them unlock their full potential. It’s time for us to shift our focus and create an environment where boys can succeed just as girls do today.

Data from the past decade shows alarming trends with boys: lower literacy scores, higher school dropout rates, increased depression, disengagement, lower post-secondary attendance, and rising unemployment along with substance abuse among young men. This lack of participation in society can often lead to depression and, tragically, suicide. A healthy society depends on healthy fathers, healthy sons, and healthy communities.

We need to inspire and support our boys today to ensure a better future for everyone. We envision a future where every boy is equipped to succeed academically, emotionally, and socially. By inspiring our boys now, we create a generation of leaders, innovators, and role models who will drive a brighter, more equitable future for all.

Let’s take action today—when our boys succeed, life improves for everyone.

YouTube Video UCvlBoX4hBrM2yUglBQcYVHg_dHtSkGstuyo

Inspiring Boys, Empowering Fathers, Transforming Lives. Podcast Episode #1

Canadian Centre for Men and Families June 11, 2025 7:17 pm

The Canadian Centre for Men and Families 10 Year Anniversary Celebration Event

Healthy Boys, Men, Families, Communities.

Learn more and register for programs at https://www.menandfamilies.org.
Make a tax deductible charity gift at https://www.menandfamilies.org/donation

Featuring Special Guest Cassie Jaye, Filmmaker of The Red Pill, the acclaimed men's issues documentary,

Thursday, December 19th at 7:30pm EST.

The Canadian Centre for Men and Families is hosting a special celebrating of its 10 years supporting and advocating for boys and men.

Join us to meet the organization's founders, leaders and volunteers. We'll take a trip down memory lane to review the organization's history, its current status and its plans for the future.

We've come a long way in ten years. Hear how the agency forged a path through protests and opposition with a positive, collaborative and forward-focused message of hope and optimism.

Fast forward to the present. The life and death problems of boys and men are increasingly mainstream. CCMF is now supporting tens of thousands of Canadian families and giving a voice to perspectives long ignored.

With short remarks from CCMF's leadership, including:

* Edward Sullivan, Current Chair of the Board
* Denise Fong, First Director of Outreach
* Longest serving Board members Mark Austerberry and Paul Sandor
* Current Staff Bijan Rafii (York Region Exec Dir.), Bill Fitzimmons (Alberta Exec Dir.) and Carol Metz Murray (CCMB BC)
* Justin Trottier, Founder and National Executive Director
* Featuring Special Guest Cassie Jaye, award-winning filmmaker of The Red Pill, the acclaimed 2016 men's issues documentary. Cassie started her filmmaking journey focused on women and girls. Through her filmmaking, she came to believe that society must address men and women together. Cassie Jaye directed the documentaries Daddy I Do and The Right to Love: An American Family. She is the recipient of numerous "Best Documentary" awards.

The Canadian Centre for Men and Families 10 Year Anniversary Celebration Event

Healthy Boys, Men, Families, Communities.

Learn more and register for programs at https://www.menandfamilies.org.
Make a tax deductible charity gift at https://www.menandfamilies.org/donation

Featuring Special Guest Cassie Jaye, Filmmaker of The Red Pill, the acclaimed men's issues documentary,

Thursday, December 19th at 7:30pm EST.

The Canadian Centre for Men and Families is hosting a special celebrating of its 10 years supporting and advocating for boys and men.

Join us to meet the organization's founders, leaders and volunteers. We'll take a trip down memory lane to review the organization's history, its current status and its plans for the future.

We've come a long way in ten years. Hear how the agency forged a path through protests and opposition with a positive, collaborative and forward-focused message of hope and optimism.

Fast forward to the present. The life and death problems of boys and men are increasingly mainstream. CCMF is now supporting tens of thousands of Canadian families and giving a voice to perspectives long ignored.

With short remarks from CCMF's leadership, including:

* Edward Sullivan, Current Chair of the Board
* Denise Fong, First Director of Outreach
* Longest serving Board members Mark Austerberry and Paul Sandor
* Current Staff Bijan Rafii (York Region Exec Dir.), Bill Fitzimmons (Alberta Exec Dir.) and Carol Metz Murray (CCMB BC)
* Justin Trottier, Founder and National Executive Director
* Featuring Special Guest Cassie Jaye, award-winning filmmaker of The Red Pill, the acclaimed 2016 men's issues documentary. Cassie started her filmmaking journey focused on women and girls. Through her filmmaking, she came to believe that society must address men and women together. Cassie Jaye directed the documentaries Daddy I Do and The Right to Love: An American Family. She is the recipient of numerous "Best Documentary" awards.

YouTube Video UCvlBoX4hBrM2yUglBQcYVHg_ZI-GC4_0Pko

CCMF 10 Year Anniversary Celebration Event

Canadian Centre for Men and Families April 17, 2025 10:14 am

On November 19, 2024, International Men's Day, the Canadian Centre for Men and Families opened Alberta's first interim house for fathers and children in crisis, with an emphasis on fathers and children escaping domestic abuse and family violence. 

This 11 unit building with capacity for up to 44 individuals, combines emergency shelter and longer term transitional housing, for stays of 31 to 90 days. Residents are offered a full suite of wrap-around services, including outreach, counselling, peer support, trauma recovery, personal coaching, legal advice and parenting support programs. 

This isn’t just a building. It’s a lifeline. A second chance for fathers fighting to keep their children. A refuge for men who’ve faced unimaginable challenges and turmoil. A beacon of hope for families torn apart by hardship.

This Men’s Interim Housing will provide a safe space for men working to rebuild their lives, providing hope, love and support to all who walk through our doors. This is only possible because of our amazing community of supporters. 

To make a donation in support of our unique and essential work, please visit https://menandfamilies.org/donate

Canadian Centre for Men and Families Alberta
info@ccmfalberta.ca
1-587-885-2839
www.ccmfalberta.ca

Referrals and registration: Please visit https://ccmfalberta.ca/

We accept registration from individuals directly as well as through referrals from partner agencies.

Services and Support:
In addition to Transitional Housing support, additional services include:
● Emergency case management
● Emergency trauma counselling
● Male survivors of domestic abuse support group
● Food, clothing and additional in-house resources
● Legal Clinic for family and criminal law matters
● Fathering After Separation or Divorce
● Drop-in peer support group
● Assisting with housing applications

Outreach support:
In addition to our in-house services, we will provide support for accessing other agencies for
assistance including.
● Food and Food assistance
● Permanent housing,
● Victim service support,
● Counselling support for children

On November 19, 2024, International Men's Day, the Canadian Centre for Men and Families opened Alberta's first interim house for fathers and children in crisis, with an emphasis on fathers and children escaping domestic abuse and family violence.

This 11 unit building with capacity for up to 44 individuals, combines emergency shelter and longer term transitional housing, for stays of 31 to 90 days. Residents are offered a full suite of wrap-around services, including outreach, counselling, peer support, trauma recovery, personal coaching, legal advice and parenting support programs.

This isn’t just a building. It’s a lifeline. A second chance for fathers fighting to keep their children. A refuge for men who’ve faced unimaginable challenges and turmoil. A beacon of hope for families torn apart by hardship.

This Men’s Interim Housing will provide a safe space for men working to rebuild their lives, providing hope, love and support to all who walk through our doors. This is only possible because of our amazing community of supporters.

To make a donation in support of our unique and essential work, please visit https://menandfamilies.org/donate

Canadian Centre for Men and Families Alberta
info@ccmfalberta.ca
1-587-885-2839
www.ccmfalberta.ca

Referrals and registration: Please visit https://ccmfalberta.ca/

We accept registration from individuals directly as well as through referrals from partner agencies.

Services and Support:
In addition to Transitional Housing support, additional services include:
● Emergency case management
● Emergency trauma counselling
● Male survivors of domestic abuse support group
● Food, clothing and additional in-house resources
● Legal Clinic for family and criminal law matters
● Fathering After Separation or Divorce
● Drop-in peer support group
● Assisting with housing applications

Outreach support:
In addition to our in-house services, we will provide support for accessing other agencies for
assistance including.
● Food and Food assistance
● Permanent housing,
● Victim service support,
● Counselling support for children

YouTube Video UCvlBoX4hBrM2yUglBQcYVHg_OjMzAyxpvyo

Opening Calgary's First Transition House for Fathers and Children

Canadian Centre for Men and Families November 29, 2024 11:16 am

The Canadian Centre for Men and Families is celebrating its 10 year anniversary this fall, 2024.

Please help us recognize ten years advocating and supporting boys and men with a tax deductible charitable gift at https://menandfamilies.org/get-involved/donate/

It’s always difficult for any new organization to establish itself. But when your particular focus is boys and men, you have to overcome a great deal of misunderstanding and sometimes outright opposition to what you’re doing, even with a positive message focused on life and death issues.

Yet CCMF has emerged against all those odds to become the leading voice for boys and men, supporting tens of thousands of Canadian families and bringing men’s issues into the mainstream.

What a remarkable decade. From co-producing a documentary on parental alienation to intervening at the Supreme Court to defend a falsely accused man. From opening Canada’s first family shelter for fathers and children to building a network of men’s centres across the country.  

Though we started as a small nonprofit, we've become a big source of strength and community to fathers, sons and husbands across Canada. 

We’ve accomplished much for boys and men. But much work remains. Just imagine what we can do in the next ten years when we build on those achievements. 

We’ve launched the National Future Fund for Boys and Men. This matching campaign will double the value of all gifts - up to $150,000!

It’s time to leverage the leadership we have all earned. We have a vision of a network of centres and emergency housing for boys and men across the country, of legislators integrating boys and men in all policy making, and of the media incorporating these issues into their daily news coverage.

Plus, in the federal election year of 2025, we need your help as we seek to put men’s issues into the national agenda! 

To donate, please visit https://menandfamilies.org/get-involved/donate/

Thank you for your leadership in joining with us on behalf of men and boys!

Justin Trottier
Founder & Executive Director
Canadian Centre for Men and Families

The Canadian Centre for Men and Families is celebrating its 10 year anniversary this fall, 2024.

Please help us recognize ten years advocating and supporting boys and men with a tax deductible charitable gift at https://menandfamilies.org/get-involved/donate/

It’s always difficult for any new organization to establish itself. But when your particular focus is boys and men, you have to overcome a great deal of misunderstanding and sometimes outright opposition to what you’re doing, even with a positive message focused on life and death issues.

Yet CCMF has emerged against all those odds to become the leading voice for boys and men, supporting tens of thousands of Canadian families and bringing men’s issues into the mainstream.

What a remarkable decade. From co-producing a documentary on parental alienation to intervening at the Supreme Court to defend a falsely accused man. From opening Canada’s first family shelter for fathers and children to building a network of men’s centres across the country.

Though we started as a small nonprofit, we've become a big source of strength and community to fathers, sons and husbands across Canada.

We’ve accomplished much for boys and men. But much work remains. Just imagine what we can do in the next ten years when we build on those achievements.

We’ve launched the National Future Fund for Boys and Men. This matching campaign will double the value of all gifts - up to $150,000!

It’s time to leverage the leadership we have all earned. We have a vision of a network of centres and emergency housing for boys and men across the country, of legislators integrating boys and men in all policy making, and of the media incorporating these issues into their daily news coverage.

Plus, in the federal election year of 2025, we need your help as we seek to put men’s issues into the national agenda!

To donate, please visit https://menandfamilies.org/get-involved/donate/

Thank you for your leadership in joining with us on behalf of men and boys!

Justin Trottier
Founder & Executive Director
Canadian Centre for Men and Families

YouTube Video UCvlBoX4hBrM2yUglBQcYVHg_Lv7NmSzf90Y

Celebrating 10 Years of Advocacy and Support for Boys and Men

Canadian Centre for Men and Families November 28, 2024 9:06 pm

International Conference on Men and Families - Register online here: https://square.link/u/CpRTzH6h

Canadian Centre for Men and Families September 24, 2024 2:43 pm

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❤️ Today, we pause to honour the courage, sacrifice and service of Canada’s veterans.
We remember those who gave their lives for our freedom — and those who continue to carry the unseen wounds of war.

❤️ To every veteran: thank you.
And if you’re struggling, please know — you’re not alone. We're here to support you through programs that build connection, healing, and hope.

❤️ Learn more about our programs: menandfamilies.org/program-registration/
... See MoreSee Less

❤️ Today, we pau

💙 STARTING TONIGHT! Invest in your mental health this Men’s Health Awareness Month. It’s time to take care of the person you are behind the responsibilities.

Our Mindfulness for Men program is a 6-week online journey to help you find calm, clarity and confidence through simple mindfulness practices.

🔗 Register here: www.eventbrite.ca/e/ccmf-mindfulness-for-men-program-tickets-1788120178589

Led by Bob Dawson, a peer support facilitator who’s walked this path himself, you’ll learn to:
✅ Manage stress and emotions with compassion
✅ Build awareness and focus
✅ Strengthen your relationships — starting with yourself
... See MoreSee Less

💙 STARTING TONIGH

🧾 Join our upcoming free legal webinar: “Navigating Parenting Solutions: Legal Advice and ADR”

Led by an experienced legal professional, this session will help you:
✅ Understand what counts as hearsay
✅ Learn how to present facts effectively
✅ Avoid common affidavit errors that can weaken your case

📅 Date: Nov. 13 @ 7 p.m. PT
💻 Register free: ow.ly/pKJb50Xo96n
... See MoreSee Less

🧾 Join our upcomi
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