The Menstrual Equity Fund (MEF) is a federal initiative established by the Government of Canada to address period poverty by improving access to free menstrual products and increasing education and awareness about menstrual health. Launched in 2023 and administered nationally by Food Banks Canada, the Fund supports community organizations across Canada that are working to ensure everyone can manage their periods with dignity.

The Menstrual Equity Fund has two primary objectives:

1. Increase access to free menstrual products for diverse, low-income communities across Canada.
2. Support education and awareness to improve menstrual health knowledge and help normalize conversations about periods while reducing stigma.

Since its launch, the Fund has supported nearly 400 pilot sites and more than 2,000 distribution locations in every province and territory (Govt of Canada, 2026). Millions of menstrual products have been distributed, resulting in more than six million instances of people accessing the products they need (Food Banks Canada). The Fund has also enabled menstrual equity organizations to expand education and awareness initiatives, reaching tens of thousands of Canadians with accurate, inclusive menstrual health information. 

The Menstrual Equity Fund recognizes that period products are a basic necessity—not a luxury. By combining product access with education, the Fund helps reduce the financial burden of menstruation, supports health and well-being, and enables people to participate more fully in school, work, and community life.

The current pilot is scheduled to conclude after the 2026–27 fiscal year. 

The Education Partners in the Menstrual Equity Fund Pilot are a national collective of menstrual equity organizations working to advance period-positive spaces and menstrual equity across Canada who were funded as education partners in the Menstrual Equity Fund pilot. We are calling on the Government of Canada to renew and expand the Menstrual Equity Fund. 

Renewing and expanding the Menstrual Equity Fund will ensure community organizations can continue providing essential period products, education, and support to people across Canada who need them most.