Free menstrual product program expands to post-secondary schools

A Saskatchewan program that provides free menstrual products to people in need is expanding.

The program, which was launched in October of 2023, has already distributed more than five million products to 670 schools and 23 shelters across Saskatchewan, and two million more products are set to be distributed, starting next month.

The program is also expanding to include post-secondary schools, with hundreds of thousands of products set to be sent out.

“This fall, in addition to 670 elementary and high schools, nine post-secondary institutions and six private vocational schools will receive product so students in need have access to free period products,” Laura Ross, Saskatchewan’s minister responsible for the Status of Women Office, said in a statement.

The program comes through a partnership between the provincial government and Shoppers Drug Mart, which is donating 12 million products over three years for distribution by the province.

Colleen Young, Saskatchewan’s advanced education minister, said the program is an important way to support students across the province.

“Students should not have to face financial or physical barriers to access menstrual products,” Young said in a statement. “This fall, many students will benefit from free access to these essential items as 435,000 products will be delivered to post-secondary institutions across the province.”