Period poverty initiatives across the Maritimes have gained momentum as local charities step up efforts to provide essential menstrual products to those in need. These grassroots campaigns highlight both the growing need and the community response to what many advocates describe as a hidden crisis affecting thousands across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
At the Halifax Public Libraries, bright pink baskets filled with tampons and pads sit prominently in washrooms, a tangible sign of institutional commitment to addressing period poverty. “We’ve seen a significant increase in usage over the past year,” says Caroline Thomas, community outreach coordinator. “What started as a pilot project is now an essential service we provide at all fifteen branches.”
The demand for these products reveals an uncomfortable truth about life in the Maritimes. According to a 2023 survey by the Maritime Economic Council, approximately one in four menstruating individuals in the region has struggled to afford period products at some point in the past year—with that number rising to nearly one in three among students and those living on fixed incomes.
In Moncton, the grassroots organization “Flow Forward” has distributed over 12,000 period kits since January. These kits, assembled by volunteers, contain a month’s supply of products along with information about reproductive health resources. “Period poverty isn’t just about access to products,” explains Janine Richard, the organization’s founder. “It’s about dignity, education, and breaking down the persistent stigma that still surrounds menstruation in many communities.”
The economic pressures of recent years have intensified the problem. With inflation driving up the cost of essentials and housing consuming an ever-larger portion of household budgets, menstrual products—which can cost between $60 and $120 annually per person—become items some families simply cannot afford.
“We’re seeing people who never thought they’d need this kind of support,” notes Richard. “Teachers, healthcare workers, seniors—the face of period poverty is changing because economic vulnerability is becoming more widespread.”
The provincial responses have varied. Nova Scotia became the first province to provide free menstrual products in schools in 2019. New Brunswick followed with a similar program in 2022, though implementation has been uneven across districts. Prince Edward Island is currently running pilot programs in selected schools, with advocates pushing for province-wide adoption.
Dr. Elizabeth MacIntosh, a public health researcher at Dalhousie University, emphasizes the broader implications. “Period poverty creates cascading effects. We see increased school absenteeism, workplace productivity losses, and health impacts from using products for too long or improvising with unsafe alternatives.”
The statistics back her assessment. Education officials in Halifax reported that attendance rates among teenage girls improved by 4.7% after the introduction of free period products in schools. Yet gaps remain, particularly for those not connected to institutional settings where such programs exist.
Community organizations are working to bridge these gaps. In Charlottetown, “Island Period Project” operates through a network of small businesses that serve as distribution points. “We wanted to create access points that feel comfortable, not institutional,” says founder Melissa King. “Someone can walk into a participating café, use a code word with staff, and discreetly receive what they need.”
Maritime businesses are increasingly joining these efforts. Sobeys stores across the region recently partnered with several charities to host collection bins, while smaller companies like Wolfville-based “Maritime Naturals” have adopted one-for-one models, donating a product for every one purchased.
Social media has amplified these initiatives, with hashtags like #MaritimePeriodProject and #FlowForwardNB helping coordinate donation drives and volunteer efforts. Last month’s “Red Weekend” campaign saw over 300 volunteers across 17 Maritime communities collecting donations outside grocery stores, resulting in more than 45,000 products for distribution.
Despite these successes, challenges persist. Rural areas face particular difficulties with distribution networks and awareness. “The stigma is often stronger in smaller communities,” observes Richard. “We’ve had situations where people drive to the next town over to access products because they don’t want neighbors knowing their situation.”
Federal recognition of the issue has been growing. The removal of GST from menstrual products in 2015 was an important step, though advocates note that taxation was just one aspect of affordability. Recent parliamentary discussions have explored national strategies, with Maritime MPs among the most vocal supporters.
“This isn’t a partisan issue—it’s a public health and economic justice issue,” says Fredericton MP Jenica Atwin, who has raised the matter repeatedly in the House of Commons. “When we remove barriers to full participation in school, work, and community life, everyone benefits.”
As winter approaches, many charities are preparing for increased demand. Economic pressures typically intensify during heating season in the Maritimes, forcing difficult household budget decisions. “We’re stocking up now,” says Thomas of Halifax Libraries. “No one should have to choose between staying warm and having basic hygiene needs met.”
For those working on the front lines of these initiatives, the goal extends beyond immediate relief. “We’re meeting an urgent need today,” says King, “but we’re also building momentum toward systemic solutions where period poverty becomes a thing of the past.”
