As of December 15th, 2023, all federally regulated workplaces are required to ensure free access to menstrual products, as per the Canadian Labour Code (CLC) Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) will undertake the following in washrooms located within controlled areas accessible to federal employees, including those within tenant space:
- Installation of menstrual product dispensers in female, male, all-access and gender-inclusive washrooms;
- Installation of and maintenance of covered disposal receptacles in all male washroom stalls;
- Procurement and restocking of menstrual products to meet usage levels in each building.
Exceptions: PSPC notes that every workplace is unique and there may be situations where installation of product dispensers may not be feasible in all washrooms. This includes installation concerns, space constraints, washrooms shared with private sector tenants, etc. Alternative solutions may be necessary within tenant space.
The National Accommodations Directorate will be responsible for liaising with PSPC on their implementation of this new requirement in all departmental workplaces in Crown-owned and PSPC-leased buildings across the country.
If your federally regulated workplace has not completed this important upgrade to washrooms, please contact your manager and, if necessary, follow up with a member of your Local Executive.