'Periods are a normal part of life and workplaces should reflect that reality by making sure workers have what they need'
Manitoba will become the first province in Canada to require employers to provide free menstrual products in workplaces, under regulatory changes announced by the provincial government.
Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino said amendments to the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation will oblige employers to supply menstrual products such as pads and tampons at no cost to employees. The products must be available in workplace washrooms or another accessible location.
“These changes are about dignity and fairness at work,” Marcelino said in a statement. “No one should have to worry about access to basic menstrual products while they are doing their job. Periods are a normal part of life and workplaces should reflect that reality by making sure workers have what they need.”
The legislation will take effect in August later this year.
The development aligns with the Manitoba Federation of Labour’s view stated in its 2024 policy book. In the document, the federation explicitly called for “mandating employers to provide free menstrual products in the workplace” and pressed for the Workplace Safety and Health Branch to implement such measures.
Federally regulated workplaces in Canada have been mandated to provide free menstrual products to employees since late 2023. The government sought public feedback before implementing that rule.
Health, safety, gender equity
With the change, Manitoba will be the first provincial jurisdiction in the country to mandate that employers provide menstrual products. The government said this positions Manitoba as a leader in promoting healthier and more inclusive workplaces, improving gender equity at work and reducing stigma around periods.
“This is a really important step for gender equity in the workplace, and for health and safety on the job,” said Anna Rothney, executive director of the Manitoba Federation of Labour. “Treating menstrual products like the necessities they are will lead to healthier and more inclusive workplaces and reduced stigma around periods. It will help make life more affordable for many workers who are struggling to pay their bills."
For HR professionals, the move elevates menstrual products from a discretionary amenity to a regulated health and safety requirement, directly affecting compliance, facilities management and employee experience.
The amendments implement 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.
In 2021, Ontario-based employer Diva International announced the implementation of a companywide paid menstrual leave policy, allowing staff a maximum of 12 paid days per calendar year, taken one per month.
Cost estimates and budget planning
Marcelino said providing menstrual products in workplaces comes at a modest cost. 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, adding menstrual product provision to the list of items reviewed by officers.
The new requirements are scheduled to take effect in early August 2026, giving employers in Manitoba roughly 18 months to prepare and purchase necessary supplies.
