Free menstrual products could be coming to New West sports and rec facilities
Posted September 10, 2019 6:56 pm.
Last Updated September 10, 2019 10:13 pm.
NEW WESTMINSTER (NEWS 1130) – On the heels of free menstrual products being made available in New Westminster schools, it seems the City of New Westminster might not be too far behind on the subject.
The City has been asked by The United Way of the Lower Mainland to consider making pads, tampons and other products readily available in its sports facilities and other buildings.
Councillor Chuck Puchmayr says he feels like it’s a logical move after the United Way of the Lower Mainland sent the council a letter outlining the lack of access to menstrual products due to financial strains.
“We do have families who struggle with poverty, and we assist them in being able to access our sports facilities and recreation facilities,” he says. “That leads me to believe this is a natural fit.”
Puchmayr says he’s hopeful the city moves the process along quickly, adding staff will now look at the costs of the initiative after Monday night’s council meeting.
“I think the City is quite capable,” he says. “I’m going to listen to what staff have to say and look at [what] the budgetary impacts are, and I think we can go forward with something like that.”
Earlier this year, the New Westminster School Board made history by becoming the first school district in all of B.C to offer free menstrual products in schools.
In June, the City of Victoria decided to offer free menstrual products for free at all its municipal facilities.
