[5] In March 2014 the Canadian Association for Equality was granted charitable status by the Canada Revenue Agency, making it the first charity focused on men's issues.
[13] CAFE became the focus of mainstream media attention when they hosted author and masculinist Warren Farrell to speak at the University of Toronto on November 16, 2012.
The University of Toronto Student Union rejected an application for ratification from the University of Toronto Men's Issues Awareness Society in 2012, and in March 2013 the Ryerson Students' Union (RSU) rejected the application for ratification from the Ryerson Equality Association for failing to "centre women's voices."
[23] In January 2014 the Canadian Association for Equality announced it would sponsor events at Ryerson hosted by members of the University community, starting with a presentation by female men's activist Karen Straughan in February 2014.
Musical group the Hogtown Brewers apologized for their involvement, noting that "we were not aware of the true nature" of CAFE, and suggesting that "we would not have knowingly supported this cause."
Similarly, musical group Giraffe suggested that "we feel that we were not fully informed about what it was that is being supported here," and that CAFE had been "intentionally misleading to us in its effort to entice us to play this show.
[9][30] After a successful capital campaign, the Centre opened in downtown Toronto in November 2014, under the directorship of CAFE co-founder Justin Trottier.
"[1][36] Despite having their permit to march revoked, CAFE members marched in the June 29 Parade, alongside marchers from the Sherbourne Health Center, a community clinic focused on the health needs of new immigrants to Toronto, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, and the homeless or under-housed.
Stating that "Sherbourne unequivocally does not endorse or support CAFE," he suggested that "had we had time to conduct any background research, we would have politely declined their request to join us.
The campaign coincided with International Women's Day,[40] and took place shortly after Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne announced a three-year plan to combat sexual violence.
"[41] In an interview with CBC, Trottier stated that while "initiatives to combat violence against women are necessary and praiseworthy," policies "should be built on facts rather than bound by ideologies.
[41][43] Responding to the billboard campaign, The Globe and Mail writer Leah McLaren wrote that CAFE's stance on the issue was "beyond ludicrous," suggesting that the group had a "topsy-turvy world view."
Acknowledging that "there aren't shelters dedicated to men," Direnfeld suggested that "the need is so disproportionately greater for women that that is where the bulk of the money goes.
[49][47] In December 2016, CAFE organized a screening of The Red Pill, a documentary film about the men's rights movement directed by Cassie Jaye, at Ottawa's Mayfair theatre.
The Mayfair cancelled the screening following community and advertiser complaints that CAFE was spreading hatred and homophobia on campus, and allegations that the group had been dishonest in its Canada Revenue charity status application.
[50] According to the Mayfair's co-owner, the cancellation was followed by a "48-hour avalanche of hateful insults," including death threats, from supporters of CAFE and the film.