Winnipeg 
Manitoba is introducing a new workplace requirement requiring employers to provide menstrual products to employees at no cost.
Labour and Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino announced amendments to the province’s Workplace Safety and Health Regulation that will require employers to supply products such as pads and tampons in workplace washrooms or another accessible area.
With this change, Manitoba will become the first provincial jurisdiction in Canada to mandate that employers provide menstrual products free of charge.
“These changes are about dignity and fairness at work,” Marcelino said. “No one should have to worry about access to basic menstrual products while they are doing their job. Periods are a normal part of life and workplaces should reflect that reality by making sure workers have what they need.”
The policy follows recommendations from the five-year review of the Workplace Safety and Health Act, which was completed in January 2025 by the Workplace Safety and Health Review Committee.
According to federal estimates cited by the province, the annual cost of supplying menstrual products is expected to range from $10 to $25 per employee who menstruates. Initial costs for dispensers and disposal containers could range from $20 to $300.
Compliance will be monitored by the Workplace Safety and Health Branch during regular workplace inspections.
The new requirements are scheduled to take effect in early August 2026, giving employers time to prepare and purchase supplies.
