The Trudeau Liberals want Canadian businesses to spend $116.6 million on tampons for men.
A recent regulatory proposal from the government says a “lack of access to menstrual products in men’s toilet room has raised concerns regarding washroom equity.”
As first reported by the National Post, the proposal stipulates that employers must provide menstrual products in each toilet room. One product dispenser is needed for each washroom, “regardless of gender,” across all work sites under the control of large business employers in the federal jurisdiction.
The feds are also seeking to require a “covered container,” otherwise known as a garbage, for the disposal of menstrual products in all washrooms — men’s, women’s and “gender-neutral” washrooms.
“Therefore, these covered containers would be added to all toilet compartments (stalls) in men’s toilet rooms across the federal jurisdiction.”
The government estimates the total cost of the regulations would be $116.6 million from 2024 to 2033. That includes estimates for how much it would cost employers to purchase the products and provide and install containers for their disposal.
In an executive summary accompanying the regulations, the government writes, “The absence of menstrual products in the workplace can translate into physical and psychological health and safety risks for menstruating employees. This could include turning to improvised solutions or avoiding the workplace due to anxiety, shame and stigma, and could impact mental health, performance and productivity.”
It also says the “financial burden” of the products varies across Canada and the burden is borne by “menstruating employees.”
