Updating Building Codes and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations - Menstrual Supplies in Restrooms (Councillor McCurrach)
Moved-Seconded:
WHEREAS equity-based policies around access to menstrual products helps to support inclusion, mobility, reduces stigma, and promotes gender equality;
WHEREAS publicly accessible restrooms across Canada are governed by federal and provincial Building Codes and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, which state explicitly the amenities and supplies required by law, namely free toilet paper, soap, hand-drying facilities in all restrooms, urinals in the men’s restrooms, and sanitary disposal bins in the women’s restrooms;
WHEREAS the federal and provincial Building Codes and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations contain no mention of menstrual supplies, leaving it up to the individual workplace or building owner to decide if menstrual supply dispensers are installed for the benefit of their employees, clients, and building visitors, and if a cost is levied for the dispensed products;
WHEREAS in May 2019, the Government of Canada started the process to amend the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, thereby ensuring emergency menstrual supplies will be as available as toilet paper in restrooms to employees who need them so they can focus on work;
WHEREAS numerous municipal jurisdictions across Canada have implemented new policies or pilot projects to put menstrual supplies in restrooms;
WHEREAS amending Building Codes and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations will obviate the need for individual municipalities to pass resolutions or start pilot projects to put menstrual products in civic restrooms, and the proposed amendments will provide clear rationale for operating funding for menstrual products;
WHEREAS menstruation is a normal, healthy bodily function and needs to be managed immediately;
WHEREAS gender equity is a stated priority of the Federal Government; therefore be it
RESOLVED that FCM petition the Canadian Government to work with all levels of government to update equity-based policy on menstrual supplies in Occupational Health and Safety Regulations; and be it further
RESOLVED that FCM work with all levels of government to update their respective Building Codes to include equity-based policy on menstrual supplies in restrooms outside the home.