When I first heard that the Canadian government has mandated free sanitary products in government and public buildings I found myself saying a silent thank you on behalf of all women. One step forward. Would anyone expect to encounter a washroom not supplied with toilet paper to attend to our personal sanitation needs? The same guidelines apply to other sanitary products.

Half the population would consider this a non-issue but for menstruating women it’s a big deal. Public and workplace washrooms provide free toilet paper so why not include free feminine hygiene products? They’re a necessity, not a luxury and you can be sure if men had periods these products would be free and easily available.

It never occurred to me that some people would object to our tax dollars being spent on this initiative until I read a posting on X formerly known as Twitter. A woman in Ottawa posted a picture of a small basket of feminine supplies her husband spied on the counter in the men’s washroom at Ottawa airport. In her comments, she was quite indignant that taxpayers’ dollars were being spent putting such items in the men’s washroom. Many others agreed with her and suggested trashing them or taking them away to give to ‘those in need’.

My followup comments to her picture suggested that trans people might be using the men’s washroom and it was incumbent upon us all to be kind. And, realistically, how many people “in need” would be passing through Ottawa airport unless upper-class travellers had a menstrual emergency? Unnecessarily disposing of these products would ultimately constitute a greater waste of taxpayer dollars as they would have to be replaced.

The world never ceases to disappoint me. The lack of understanding and broader thinking on behalf of so many people always leaves me feeling sad about our society. To our great credit, Canada was one of the first countries in the world to recognize gay marriage and to legalize abortions, and we have always welcomed those people who may be different from ourselves or the so-called ‘norm’.

Canada was certainly not the first country to adopt the free sanitary products policy. That would be Scotland, followed by England, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and other countries, including, surprisingly, a few states in the U.S.

I was one of the fortunate individuals who worked for a very liberal employer who forty years ago provided free tampons in the washrooms of the company’s various offices. Most women I know carry a spare in their purse and at their place of work, whether in their desk or locker. But there are times when even the best-prepared among us may need an emergency bailout. Thank you Canadian government for acknowledging reality.

This initiative also allows homeless people and the economically disadvantaged to enter the washrooms of government buildings to access personal products. Who cares if they fill their pockets? Like toilet paper, these items are not a luxury or optional, at least not in our civilized society. Most boomers are beyond needing these products but there are large groups of women who do.

Another reason I’m so proud to be Canadian. Maybe the rest of the world will take note. Perhaps our neighbours to the south will notice Canadians taking prideful agency over our bodies with this minor step toward gender emancipation. Not likely—even though the pope recently sanctified the blessing (not official marriage – yet) of same-sex couples. We can only hope.

I say Up With The Tampons and On With Free Sanitary Pads in public washrooms for everyone who needs them. It’s about time. Don’t you agree?