North Bay Nugget e-edition

Ontario’s school period product program fails

EMMA SCOTT Emma Scott is a graduate student in the master of public health program at the University of Waterloo.

Half of Canadians understand the frustration of having a period all too well. Shockingly, research shows nearly twothirds of people who menstruate in Canada miss work or school because of period poverty. Period poverty refers to the fact that menstrual products such as pads and tampons are inaccessible to many Canadians due to their high cost.

For school-aged menstruators, not having access to period products can mean missing class or being distracted in lessons. Even worse, poor access to period products can force individuals to use resources like rags or socks in the place of period products, potentially leading to infections or toxic shock syndrome. Also, many individuals sacrifice necessities such as groceries in order to afford period products.

The Ontario government’s solution to period poverty comes in the form of a partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart to “remove barriers and empower people who menstruate.” MPP Stephen Lecce, who was then minister of education, announced in October, 2021, the program will deliver six million free menstrual products a year during the next three years to provincially funded schools. This may sound like a great initiative, however, it is unrealistic, exclusionary and disappointing.

First, this government-funded program plans to provide only pads to schools, not tampons or other products. Pads are not a suitable choice for everyone. Also, handing down one choice of period product is patronizing and shows a lack of insight. Moreover, six million pads a year account to roughly six to 10 pads a person a year. Some individuals can go through 10 pads in a single monthly cycle. The program designers have misunderstood the logistics of having a period.

Subsequently, the project ignores many communities who need it most. By only including provincially funded schools, the Ontario government is neglecting schools that are federally funded on First Nations reserves. A single box of tampons can cost anywhere from $16 to $45 on rural First Nations reserves, which can add up to a whopping $540 a year a person. The provincial period campaign has not been developed to be inclusive of all Ontarians.

Lastly, the program feels like a cop-out for the Ontario government. The private-public partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart allows the chain drugstore to “donate products” improving their image, while removing responsibility from the government. It is disappointing the government of Ontario has transferred responsibility for addressing period poverty to a third-party.

Overall, this program needs to be reengineered to better fit the needs of all menstruating Ontario students.

Comparatively, in 2021, the government of B.C. provided funding to mandate free period products to school boards across the province. The mandate enforces the distribution of menstrual products to students of all gender expressions in a manner that protects their privacy and dignity.

B.C.’S program also mandates incorporating student feedback for long-term improvement. Ontario should learn from B.C.’S more inclusive and sustainable approach to addressing period poverty.

OPINION

en-ca

2022-06-25T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-06-25T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://eeditionnugget.pressreader.com/article/281599539180899

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