Menstrual Products Required in Government Buildings

The DAG Connection

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On December 15, 2023, Minister of Labour Seamus O’Regan Jr. announced that federally regulated industries and workplaces—including airports, banks, and ferries—are obligated to provide menstrual products in each washroom, regardless of bathroom signage. If the washroom is not feasible, the employer must provide the menstrual pads / tampons in an accessible location. He has been quoted as saying: “We’d never ask people to bring their own toilet paper to work. So why do we do that with menstrual products?”

This initiative not only promotes menstrual equality and fosters healthy, inclusive workplaces, but it also helps relieve the financial burden of purchasing these essential items. Research has shown more than 80% of those who menstruate believe products are too expensive and one-fifth of menstruators in Canada struggle to afford necessary products.

Federal buildings are not alone in defying period poverty. Provinces like British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Ontario provide menstrual products in schools while New Brunswick provides them in libraries.

Menstrual products are and should be counted as basic needs. This program is meant to improve equity as well as create more inclusive workplaces.