Advocacy Impact
Advocacy is vital to achieving menstrual equity: it challenges outdated systems, amplifies community needs, and expands access. The Period Purse drives meaningful change through collective, community-driven efforts.
A Voice for Change
The Period Purse has been a voice for change since its founding in 2017. Every year, we work alongside communities, partners, and policymakers to advance menstrual equity — while also leading the charge on awareness, education, and system-wide change. Our advocacy is part of a powerful collective effort across Canada, and we’re proud to have helped shape the national conversation, influence policy, and push forward measurable progress.
Below are some of the advocacy wins that our community, supporters, and partners have helped make possible across the country.
May
Menstrual Health Day 2025
Menstrual Health Day rallies Canadians to raise awareness through monument light-ups, flag raisings, and proclamations. In 2025, we achieved a 5% increase in participation across Canada, raising awareness about menstrual equity nationwide. A total of 70 monuments were lit red in 2025!
2025
January
Federal Report on Menstrual Equity and Period Poverty
In 2023, the federal government released Attitudes and Awareness of Menstrual Equity and Period Poverty Among Canadians –– a report examining Canadians’ awareness of menstrual equity and period poverty. The report revealed gaps in access, persistent stigma, and strong public support for policies to improve the affordability and availability of menstrual products.
2023
December
Federated Workplaces Win
As of December 2023, federally regulated workplaces are required to provide free menstrual products in all washrooms — affirming that pads and tampons, like toilet paper, are essential necessities that everyone should be able to access at no cost.
June
The Period Purse Speaks Before Parliamentary Committee
In 2023, The Period Purse spoke before the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women in Ottawa, and offered its expert insight on advancing menstrual equity nationwide.
April
Menstrual Equity Fund
The federal government launched a $25-million Menstrual Equity Fund in 2022, enabling Food Banks Canada and its partners –– including The Period Purse –– to distribute millions of menstrual products to more than 3.5 million people nationwide.
February
Toronto Public Library Pilot
In 2022, The Period Purse partnered with the Toronto Public Library to provide free period products in high-priority neighbourhoods. Strong community results led the City of Toronto to adopt and permanently fund the program.
2022
April
Free Period Products in the City of Mississauga
The Period Purse advocated for the City of Mississauga to provide free period products in all city buildings. In 2022, a motion passed to install and supply dispensers in all city-run facilities.
October
Ontario Expands Student Access to Period Products
In October 2021, Ontario launched a program to provide six million free menstrual products annually to schools, ensuring that students have barrier-free access through dispensers supplied in partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart.
2021
November
Federal Commitment to Indigenous Period Product Access
In 2021, the federal government committed to providing free period products in First-Nations-operated schools to support menstrual equity in Indigenous communities.
March
City of Toronto Budget Win
The Period Purse worked with then-city councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam to secure $366,000 in the 2019 City of Toronto budget to provide all municipal shelters and drop-in centres with free period products.
May
Federal Government Consultations
In 2019, The Period Purse served on the federal government’s expert roundtable on providing free period products in federally regulated workplaces. That same year, MP Arif Virani also led a discussion about menstrual equity in the House of Commons, and highlighted The Period Purse and our advocacy work.
2019
March
Historic B.C. School Policy
In 2019, British Columbia became the first province in Canada to mandate free menstrual products in all public school washrooms.
2015
July
Goodbye Tampon Tax
Canada eliminated the tampon tax in 2015, removing GST from menstrual products after nationwide advocacy. This landmark win recognized period products as essential, reduced financial barriers, and advanced menstrual equity for millions.
2025
May
Menstrual Health Day 2025
Menstrual Health Day rallies Canadians to raise awareness through monument light-ups, flag raisings, and proclamations. In 2025, we achieved a 5% increase in participation across Canada, raising awareness about menstrual equity nationwide. A total of 70 monuments were lit red in 2025!
2023
December
Federated Workplaces Win
As of December 2023, federally regulated workplaces are required to provide free menstrual products in all washrooms — affirming that pads and tampons, like toilet paper, are essential necessities that everyone should be able to access at no cost.
January
Federal Report on Menstrual Equity and Period Poverty
In 2023, the federal government released Attitudes and Awareness of Menstrual Equity and Period Poverty Among Canadians –– a report examining Canadians’ awareness of menstrual equity and period poverty. The report revealed gaps in access, persistent stigma, and strong public support for policies to improve the affordability and availability of menstrual products.
June
The Period Purse Speaks Before Parliamentary Committee
In 2023, The Period Purse spoke before the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women in Ottawa, and offered its expert insight on advancing menstrual equity nationwide.
2022
April
Menstrual Equity Fund
The federal government launched a $25-million Menstrual Equity Fund in 2022, enabling Food Banks Canada and its partners –– including The Period Purse –– to distribute millions of menstrual products to more than 3.5 million people nationwide.
April
Free Period Products in the City of Mississauga
The Period Purse advocated for the City of Mississauga to provide free period products in all city buildings. In 2022, a motion passed to install and supply dispensers in all city-run facilities.
February
Toronto Public Library Pilot
In 2022, The Period Purse partnered with the Toronto Public Library to provide free period products in high-priority neighbourhoods. Strong community results led the City of Toronto to adopt and permanently fund the program.
2021
November
Federal Commitment to Indigenous Period Product Access
In 2021, the federal government committed to providing free period products in First-Nations-operated schools to support menstrual equity in Indigenous communities.
October
Ontario Expands Student Access to Period Products
In October 2021, Ontario launched a program to provide six million free menstrual products annually to schools, ensuring that students have barrier-free access through dispensers supplied in partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart.
2019
March
City of Toronto Budget Win
The Period Purse worked with then-city councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam to secure $366,000 in the 2019 City of Toronto budget to provide all municipal shelters and drop-in centres with free period products.
March
Historic B.C. School Policy
In 2019, British Columbia became the first province in Canada to mandate free menstrual products in all public school washrooms.
May
Federal Government Consultations
In 2019, The Period Purse served on the federal government’s expert roundtable on providing free period products in federally regulated workplaces. That same year, MP Arif Virani also led a discussion about menstrual equity in the House of Commons, and highlighted The Period Purse and our advocacy work.
2015
July
Goodbye Tampon Tax
Canada eliminated the tampon tax in 2015, removing GST from menstrual products after nationwide advocacy. This landmark win recognized period products as essential, reduced financial barriers, and advanced menstrual equity for millions.
