Canada To Make Menstrual Products More Accessible — Here's What To Know

The Government of Canada is expected to create a Menstrual Equity Fund, as announced in the most recent federal budget.

Canadian Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland unveiled the 2022 budget on Thursday, and among the allocations the government has proposed is a plan for public health that provides $25 million over the course of two years to the Department for Women and Gender Equality for a pilot project.

This investment would provide for the establishment of an equity fund for Canadians who do not have access to menstrual products. In other words, the government aims to make period products more easily available to those in need across the country.

"Access to menstrual products is a basic necessity, but current barriers make it difficult for some women, girls, trans, and non-binary Canadians to fully participate in school, work, and society," the 2022 budget states.

With the new investment and initiative proposed for 2022-2023, "The federal government is committed to addressing the barriers related to affordability and stigma that some Canadians face when accessing menstrual products."

The government's plan to invest $25 million into Women and Gender Equality Canada falls in line with the promises made by the Liberal Party of Canada.

The Liberal Party said in their 2021 election platform that if they were to be re-elected, they would "provide free tampons and pads in federally regulated workplaces."

Considering one in three Canadians who need menstrual products do not have the means to access them, the party says, it's imperative the government make strides to ensure menstrual products become more accessible and affordable nationwide.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.