Cambridge won't put free menstrual products in city-operated facilities

Cambridge city council voted against a motion that would have put free menstrual products to washrooms in city-run facilities.

"I have to admit that I'm pretty frustrated because I thought our city would have gone ahead with this and that we would be a leader within the region on this," Coun. Donna Reid said in an interview.

Reid brought the motion to provide free menstrual products forward in September, but it was deferred when council asked staff for more information.

On Tuesday, council heard from several delegates in favour of the motion and was also presented with a number of different options to move forward with the project. 

One option looked at installing a dispenser in one washroom at 39 city operated facilities at a cost of $20,000.

A second option suggested installing a dispenser in one washroom at seven city operated facilities, which would have cost $3,000. 

Reid introduced another option during council, which was to phase in free menstrual products within three years at all city operated facilities.

However, only three of eight councillor voted in favour of the first option. Councillors Mike Divine, Jan Liggett, Nicholas Ermetta and Mayor Kathryn McGarry voted against it.

A phased in approach of the project was tied four-four. A vote on trying a pilot project also resulted in a four-four tie, which means both motions were defeated.

Coun. Mike Mann said he wasn't sure the decision was up to the city.

"I think it's a very important health issue," Mann told council Tuesday. "I strongly believe that as a two-tier government system that our health issues and our social service issues are covered by the region and I think that's where this belongs."

Reid said the matter would not be viable at the regional level and was surprised with council's decision Tuesday night.

"I wouldn't have brought the motion forward if I didn't have some confidence in it," Reid said. "I was disappointed it didn't happen."