Elizabeth Lemay and the Aftermath of Online Criticism

Following a surge of hateful messages directed towards author Elizabeth Lemay after a clip from Radio-Canada’s De l’huile sur le feu aired, host Rebecca Makonnen has publicly apologized to her guest. The controversy stems from Lemay’s commentary on the topic of male loneliness and its potential societal implications.

The Initial Commentary and Online Reaction

In the segment, Lemay stated that the “crisis of masculine loneliness is good news, as it is proof of women’s emancipation.” She further elaborated that when men feel isolated, they are more prone to radicalization, expressing concerns about online harassment, deepfakes, and the misuse of artificial intelligence. These statements quickly circulated online, sparking a heated debate and a significant backlash against Lemay.

Rebecca Makonnen’s Response and Apology

Makonnen expressed her dismay at the outpouring of negativity directed at Lemay, stating she had read all the hateful messages. She explained that a clip of her commentary was published on social media without her knowledge or consent, and subsequently removed. “I write ‘I believe’ because this decision was made without me, without consulting or even warning me. Without, therefore, seeming to think about the possible repercussions,” she noted.

Makonnen stated she spoke with management to address the situation, “name this violence, this climate we have created, so that something is done, to try to stop the course of things.” She added, “I managed to speak to Elizabeth yesterday, but the damage – and that’s a huge understatement – is done. I feel powerless. I take my share of responsibility, and I therefore publicly apologize to her. Elizabeth, I am sincerely sorry.”

Radio-Canada’s Statement and Context

Radio-Canada also issued a statement regretting the publication of the excerpt on social media. They clarified that this was not a dismissal of Lemay’s work and that the full segment remains available on their official platforms, Radio-Canada OHdio. The statement emphasized the importance of listening to the commentary in its entirety to understand its nuances, acknowledging that the social media clip did not accurately reflect the full context of Lemay’s remarks.

The original segment on Radio-Canada OHdio described Lemay’s commentary as exploring the idea that as women no longer need to marry for economic reasons, their expectations of men are increasingly focused on character and human contribution.

Elizabeth Lemay’s Recent Recognition

It’s worth noting that Elizabeth Lemay recently received the Janette-Bertrand Prize from the Montreal Book Fair in November 2025 for her book, L’été de la colère (Summer of Anger). This award highlights her literary achievements and contributions to Canadian literature.

Ongoing Debate and the Importance of Nuance

The incident has sparked a broader conversation about online discourse, the responsibility of media platforms, and the importance of considering context when interpreting complex commentary. While some criticized the removal of the excerpt as “deplorable,” others pointed to the “violence and lack of nuance” in Lemay’s original statements. This case underscores the challenges of navigating sensitive topics in the digital age and the need for thoughtful and respectful dialogue.

For further insights into the complexities of gender dynamics and societal change, consider exploring resources from UN Women and Catalyst.