Free menstrual products to be placed in Waterloo region's public schools this fall

The Waterloo Region District School Board has announced free menstrual products will be placed in school washrooms starting this fall.

The board is the first in the province to offer free products to students.

Last month, the provincial government in British Columbia ordered public schools to provide free menstrual products in washrooms. A school board in Fredericton, N.B., has also said it will offer menstrual supplies in two high schools as part of a pilot project.

Some universities and colleges across the country have also placed free products in washrooms as part of the Free the Tampon project.

John Bryant, director of education for the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) said in a release that he's proud the board will be offering the menstrual products for students.

"No student should have their learning disrupted because they cannot access products," he said.

The products will be placed in accessible, all-gender bathrooms in every school and alternative education site.

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board said there is "no centralized formal delivery plan" for pads and tampons but they are available to students on an as-needed basis. The Wellington Catholic District School Board also said they "have supplies available in schools on an as needed basis."

The Upper Grand District School Board also offers emergency products. The board's spokesperson Heather Loney says it's an issue that's been discussed by the Upper Grand Learning Foundation and it will be discussed at the foundation's next meeting.