THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay city council voted Monday to keep the free menstrual product program running at city facilities after a recommendation from staff to continue and expand the program.
The city will look to boost usage by moving dispensers from areas noted with significant waste or under-utilization, like public washrooms in arenas, to new locations that could include city hall and golf courses.
The pilot project began in October of 2021, and included city arenas, stadiums, aquatic facilities and Thunder Bay Public Library locations.
A subsequent public engagement survey was hosted on the city’s Get Involved web page, showing strong support for the program.
Based on usage rates so far, staff reported there was enough remaining product to run the program in 2023 and will make a recommendation for the 2024 budget based on usage numbers.
The total cost to date for the pilot program was $28,952 which includes the cost to purchase of dispensers as well as costs for purchase of menstrual products.
Council voted unanimously to continue the pilot program Monday, and to expand it into other municipally owned, public-facing facilities, and that the expansion of the program utilize dispensers from areas with significant waste or under-utilization.
