By Mandy Vocke

Free menstrual products accessible for students and people in need

Apr 5, 2019 | 1:26 PM

BRITISH COLUMBIA— All B.C. public schools will be required to provide free menstrual products for students in school washrooms by the end of 2019, under a ministerial order that was issued today (April 5).

Education Minister Rob Fleming says it’s time to normalize and equalize access to menstrual products in schools, helping to create a better learning environment for students.

“Students should never have to miss school, extracurricular, sports or social activities because they can’t afford or don’t have access to menstrual products,” says Fleming. “This is a common-sense step forward that is, frankly, long overdue. We look forward to working with school districts and communities to make sure students get the access they need with no stigma and no barriers.”

The ministerial order takes effect immediately but allows districts until the end of 2019 to comply. It comes with $300,000 in provincial startup funding. The ministry will continue to work with school districts, community and education partners to look at the needs of each district, identify gaps in the upcoming months and will ensure they have the funding needed to meet this new requirement.

The government is additionally providing a one-time grant of $95,000 to support the United Way Period Promise Research Project. It will fund menstrual products for up to 10 non-profit agencies and research into how to best provide services and products for people who menstruate.

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