Whereas equity-based policies around access to menstrual products helps to support inclusion, mobility, reduces stigma, and promotes gender equality; And whereas the Province of British Columbia issued ministerial order M14989 on April 3, 2019, requiring all public schools to have free menstrual products in school restrooms; And whereas numerous jurisdictions across British Columbia and Canada have enacted policies to provide menstrual products in school, park, and civic restrooms to promote the health, mobility, and participation of citizens: Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM call upon the Province of British Columbia to provide policy direction and funding to cover the costs associated with providing free and accessible menstrual products in local and regional government run civic facility restrooms, including parks, libraries, shelters, service centres, police, judicial and incarceration centres.
Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction A key mandate item for the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction is to build on the work of so many around the province to make BC a global leader in the fight to end period poverty by creating a multi-sectoral Period Poverty Task Force to develop a comprehensive, long-term response to period poverty in BC. In April 2019, the provincial government issued a first-in-Canada ministerial order that requires all public schools to provide free menstrual products for students in school bathrooms. Following this, the Province provided a 107,000 grant to the United Way of the Lower Mainland UWLM to distribute menstrual products to 12 non-profit agencies that serve vulnerable populations. The project collected data on the number of people served, products used, how period poverty affects peoples lives, and how addressing the issue can benefit communities. A final report on the UWLM Period Promise Project was released on March 10, 2021. The UWLMs final report highlights the challenges faced by those living in poverty when they are menstruating. The report also includes recommendations, including the establishment of a task force on period poverty. The findings from the report will help to inform governments work on period poverty going forward. More details on a task force will available later this year.