Manitoba is set to become the first province in Canada to require employers to provide free menstrual products in workplaces.
The provincial government will amend the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation to require employers to provide menstrual products, including pads and tampons, in workplace washrooms or another accessible location, ensuring workers have access to basic necessities while on the job.
Read: Should employers offer paid menstrual leave?
The change is intended to support healthier and more inclusive workplaces, improve gender equity at work and reduce stigma around periods.
The amendments respond to consensus recommendations from the five-year review of the Workplace Safety and Health Act, completed by the Workplace Safety and Health Review Committee in January 2025.
“Periods are a normal part of life and workplaces should reflect that reality,” said Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino in the press release.
Federal estimates suggest the annual cost ranges from $10 to $25 per employee who menstruates, with initial dispenser and disposal container costs ranging from $20 to $300.
The Workplace Safety and Health Branch will enforce compliance through existing workplace inspections and the new requirements will come into effect in early August 2026, giving employers time to prepare and purchase any necessary supplies.
Read: Vibrant Marketing helping break down period stigma in the workplace