In 2021, the Government of Canada announced they would be making changes to the Canada Labour Code to ensure access to menstrual products in all federally regulated workplaces. Recognizing pads and tampons as essential necessities will contribute to enhancing equality, diminishing stigma, and fostering healthier, more inclusive work environments.
On May 10, Minister of Labour Seamus O’Regan Jr., announced that as of December 15, 2023, federally regulated employers will be required to make menstrual products available to workers at no cost while in the workplace. This includes putting pads and tampons in washrooms or another space controlled by the employer, so that any worker who needs them (including cisgender women, non-binary individuals, transgender men, and intersex individuals) during their workdays has access.
This initiative was developed to improve the well-being of hundreds of thousands of workers who may require menstrual products during the workday, and removing challenges to of having to turn to unsuitable solutions (i.e. extending the use of products beyond the recommended time frame or avoiding work altogether).
The final Regulations can be found in Part II of the Canada Gazette. Employers will have flexibility in how these regulations are implemented because of the wide range of federally regulated private and public sector workplaces this will apply to.
Guidance material will be developed in consultation with employers and made available online prior to December 15th. In the meantime, federally regulated employers can contact the Labour Program at edsc.lab.sst.politiques-lab.ohs.policy.esdc@labour-travail.gc.ca if they have questions.
For the Government of Canada news release, please visit the Employment and Social Development Canada website.