The minister responsible for the fight against bullying, Suzanne Roy, defended Quebec Premier François Legault’s controversial comments on hockey fights on Thursday.

Legault said in February that he was not against hockey fights, adding that when you want to “get even” for a vicious blow, it can be a good idea.

Liberal MNA Elisabeth Prass asked the minister whether the premier’s comments were irresponsible while the masculinist “alpha male” movement is gaining popularity among young people.

Roy said the MNA was indulging in a great deal of interpretation and that this had nothing to do with masculinism.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on May 8, 2025.