Hamilton will look at providing free menstrual products to low-income residents

It was a rocky ride to get there, but the city will look at what's involved in giving free menstrual products to low-income Hamiltonians.

City council voted unanimously Wednesday to "explore the feasibility of providing menstrual products (pads and tampons) to those with financial need for assistance." It will look at possible locations and distribution options to offer the products on a one-year trial basis.

"Lack of access to menstrual products due to financial need for assistance contributes to a lack of dignity for those who cannot afford products," said the motion by Coun. Sam Merulla, "and has health, social and emotional consequences."

The meeting Wednesday wasn't the first councillors had talked about it.

Last week, Coun. Maureen Wilson of Ward 1 wanted to look at putting the products for free in some municipal restrooms, with a goal "to move toward" providing them more broadly. That was narrowly defeated at Hamilton's board of health, which is comprised of the same people. The board even rejected Wilson's effort to defer the motion so she could modify the wording.

John-Paul Danko (Ward 8) pointed out the "inherent symbolism" of councillors rejecting a motion moved and seconded by women, but supporting Merulla.

"It's unfortunate that the original motion, which was nearly identical, wasn't passed at board of health," he said.

City staff warned it would be hard to find money for new costs, especially with recent cuts made by the provincial Doug Ford government. 

But Halima Al-Hatimy, founder of the FemCare Community Health Initiative, said Wednesday's vote is an encouraging first step.

"I have great ideals, but I'm also a very practical person, and I wasn't expecting the best outcome right away," she said. "The conversation is still so new."

A recent staff report said supplying menstrual products to everyone who uses them would cost more than $11 million. Providing them to 6,797 Ontario Works recipients aged 12 to 49 would cost about $591,339, and for the 532 people in women's shelters, $46,284.

Esther Pauls (Ward 7, Central Mountain) took some heat for her comments in the board of health debate. She said she was uncomfortable discussing menstruation publicly and referenced the movie Padman, a fictional film streaming on Netflix. Pauls was quiet for Wednesday's debate.

Here's what else happened:

• Council accepted more than 50 letters about 310 Frances Ave. in Stoney Creek. New Horizon Development Group plans to build three high-rises in lower Stoney Creek, and is in the site plan stage right now. The towers, if constructed, would be the three tallest buildings in Hamilton. 
• Council ratified a request to Metrolinx for  a complete accounting of what's been spent on light rail transit so far. 
• Council voted to send a letter to the province asking it to delay restructuring Hamilton's board of health with those in Brant, Haldimand-Norfolk and Niagara until at least 2020.