A new directive from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mandates the availability of tampons and sanitary napkins in men’s bathrooms across federal institutions such as the Canadian Parliament, airports, and military bases. This policy applies to all washrooms, regardless of gender designation on the door, and requires the provision of free menstrual products.
The news about this policy change gained attention last week after a photo was shared by former Canadian Conservative Sen. Linda Frum, depicting a basket of free pads and tampons inside a men’s bathroom designated for transgender members of Parliament.
Reflecting on the change, Frum noted, “Back in the day, when only women menstruated, we had to pay for our own products. But now that men menstruate too, these products, as of this week, are mandated to be free in all men’s washrooms in all federal workplaces, including Parliament Hill.”
Subsequently, an anonymous account called @HOCstaffer (referring to the House of Commons) confirmed the report and highlighted discussions around the provision of tampon dispensers.
The anonymous account argued, “They’re also going to build dispensers for all the tampons which won’t be used since 1) men don’t menstruate and 2) they are just going to bring them home to their wives for free.”
According to the revised Canadian Labour Code, announced in May and enacted on Dec. 15, “menstrual products must be in all toilet rooms regardless of their marked genders.
Furthermore, the regulations posted on Canada’s Employment and Social Development website state, “This means that every female-identified, male-identified and all gender toilet rooms will need to have menstrual products.”
“Unrestricted access to menstrual products better protects menstruating employees and ensures they feel safe to use the toilet room that best reflects their gender.”
It is the responsibility of each employer to secure the funding necessary to purchase these products and disposal containers.
In a statement, Trudeau’s government emphasized that “providing employees with access to menstrual products supports better health outcomes and workplace productivity while reducing the stigma often associated with menstruation.”
