Free tampon pilot will open ‘floodgates’: councillor

A pilot program that offers free tampons and pads in Hamilton is moving ahead despite a councillor’s concerns it could open a “floodgate” of demand for other health-related products.

Coun. Terry Whitehead also argued there are reports that menstrual product “hoarding is huge” in programs offered in other communities. Whitehead — who ultimately voted in favour of the $121,000 year-long pilot — also questioned if the city should offer adult diapers and toothbrushes for free.

“So I’m concerned that we are opening up a floodgate,” he added during a heated debate Wednesday night leading to council’s ratification vote.

Coun. Nrinder Nann responded that the pilot, which involves providing menstrual products in the washrooms of five recreation centres and food banks, responds to health equity.

“This isn’t an accessory,” she said. “This is a health-hygiene issue and creating access in this kind of way makes sure that there is a consistent supply.”

Coun. Maureen Wilson, who proposed exploring a universal program in May, said women who can’t afford to buy tampons “resort to practices” such as newspaper that cause infections and endanger lives.

“I take exception to the idea that we are opening the floodgates,” Wilson said, adding she hadn’t ever heard Whitehead raise alarm over toilet-paper hoarding.

“If you have those concerns, councillor, I suggest that you apply them to the products that are used for your natural bodily functions when you ... go into the stall, because to apply it to those who menstruate is not acceptable.”

In reply, Whitehead argued he didn’t specifically characterize hoarding as a problem of vulnerable or marginalized people. “Reports are coming back that they’re being hoarded for many different reasons.”

Coun. Sam Merulla, who suggested the pilot after Wilson’s initial pitch didn’t gain traction, urged his colleagues to back the pilot, which is meant as a test run to answer questions.

Coun. Lloyd Ferguson said he supported Hamilton Food Share as the conduit to provide products through its food bank network but questioned supplies in rec centres.

“I’m not sure that everybody that’s in a rec centre is a person that is of need, and you run the risk of somebody just dumping the whole basket into their purse and using the money do to something else.”

Ferguson voted for the food bank approach but not supplies in rec centre washrooms.