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Orangeville council looking at feasibility of offering free menstrual products 

March 9, 2023   ·   1 Comments

By Sam Odrowski

The Town of Orangeville is hoping to address “period poverty.”

Council directed town staff to bring back a feasibility report on a program offering free menstrual products within washrooms at municipal facilities to combat the issue.

A Notice of Motion brought forward by councillor Tess Prendergast passed unanimously during council’s regular meeting last Monday (Feb. 27).

“Period poverty can be defined as a lack of access to menstrual products due to financial constraints, which is a health equity issue affecting persons who menstruate,” said Prendergast. 

If the program moves forward, free mensural products will be available in public washrooms via dispensers at town facilities.

Prendergast noted that several other municipalities have implemented similar programs, including Mississauga, Brampton, Toronto, London, St Catharines, Guelph and most recently Caledon.

The Upper Grand District School Board enacted a free menstrual product program in 2021 under the direction of the Ministry of Education.

Part of Prendergast’s motion for the feasibility report highlights Red Mvmnt, a local grassroots youth-led not-for-profit organization focused on advancing sustainable mensural equity while reducing period poverty.

The motion also notes that “the provision of free menstrual products contributes to gender equity by ensuring that menstruating individuals have access to hygienic products when needed.”

Mayor Lisa Post thanked Prendergast for bringing her Notice of Motion forward and said she looks forward to reading the feasibility report on implementing a free menstural products program.

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