Hamilton program offering free menstrual products in rec centres begins in early 2021
Products will be at Dalewood, Dominic Agostino Riverdale, Huntington Park, Norman Pinky Lewis and Westmount
The city says its pilot program to put free menstrual products in five Hamilton recreation centres will begin in the first quarter of 2021 after a delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A staff report coming to city council's emergency and community services committee on Thursday shows city staff have consulted with the recreation division and Hamilton Food Share to ensure the "healthy and safe distribution of menstrual products and potential workarounds for future COVID-19 delays."
The 12-month pilot will cost $121,000 and will see products in food banks. They'll also be in baskets in women's and universal restrooms in Dalewood, Dominic Agostino Riverdale, Huntington Park, Norman Pinky Lewis and Westmount.
While the initial debate about providing free menstrual products gained attention in 2018 after it was proposed by Halima Al-Hatimy, councillors debated it for hours in early 2020.
Coun. Terry Whitehead (Ward 14, west Mountain) said hoarding of menstrual products could be a "huge" problem, and that "we have people who don't have access to toothpaste, toothbrushes … Are we going to start providing that product in our rec centres to meet that very serious health need? Help me understand where you draw the line."
Others, like Coun. Maureen Wilson (Ward 1, west end) said menstruation is a healthy, natural bodily function, and that access to menstrual products is an equity and human rights issue.
City staff say they will issue pilot funding allocations and evaluate the cost, product distribution and impact of the pilot. Council will reassess it next year.