Period Equity Project
The City of St. Albert is now providing free menstrual products in all public washrooms at St. Albert Place (5 St. Anne Street).
Period poverty affects everyone including families and friends of menstruators, non-binary, and transgender folks. That’s why we have free period products in all washrooms.
This is a pilot project to support inclusion and period equity in our city.
What is Period Poverty?
- Period poverty is a lack of access to menstrual products, education, hygiene facilities, waste management, or a combination of these.
- Many people face barriers to accessing menstrual products because of financial limitations and/or harmful social norms and attitudes surrounding menstruation.
- Lack of access to menstrual products is closely linked to poverty and disproportionately impacts youth, single mothers, Indigenous peoples, Black and racialized communities, immigrants, people experiencing homelessness, people living with disabilities, gender diverse individuals, and those who live in remote areas (Government of Canada, 2023).
How Many People Are Impacted By Period Poverty?
A 2023 public opinion research survey conducted by Environics on behalf of Women and Gender Equality Canada found that:
- One in six (17 per cent) Canadians who menstruate have experienced period poverty; this rises to one in four (25 per cent) if their household earns less than $40,000/year.
- One in five (20 per cent) who menstruate say they may not be able to afford period products at some point in the next 12 months, and seven per cent say this is very likely.
- More than 26 per cent of the comments highlighted the need for menstrual products to be accessible and available in all washrooms or gender-neutral locations.
Why is Period Equity Important?
In Canada, menstruation is one of the top two reasons why people who menstruate miss work, with the inability to access period products as a contributing factor.
Studies have found that menstruators feel that their period prevents them from fully participating in social activities and up to 70 per cent say they have missed school or work because of their period.
This project is a step towards period equity which refers to equal and comprehensive access to menstrual products, as well as access to education regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Where To Find Free Products
- The City of St. Albert provides free menstrual products in public washrooms at St. Albert Place (5 St. Anne Street)
- St. Albert Community Village and Food Bank provides menstrual products to families and individuals who cannot afford to purchase these products.
- For locations that provide free period products near you, visit Period Pin
Learn More and Participate
- Learn more about period equity
- Visit and get involved as a workplace, school and/or individual with United Ways’ Period Promise Program
- Using social media on May 28, participate in Menstrual Hygiene Day
Related Pages
Last edited: September 2, 2025