According to the Government of Canada all menstrual hygiene products are considered a non-essential item or luxury and so we have to pay GST on them.  However, items like incontinence products, cocktail cherries, and wedding cakes are not subject to GST.  Interesting definition of “essential items.”

The No Tax on Tampons movement has been gathering momentum.  Member of Parliament Irene Mathyssen introduced Bill C-282, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (feminine hygiene products), on October 16, 2013. On January 26, the campaign started an online petition to support Bill C-282 and end this discriminatory tax.  Their target is to get 75,000 signatories and they have over 54,000 signatories.   Now they are creating a short, funny video to spread the message to more people and need some funding.

There are two actions you can take, neither of which will take more than three minutes:

  • Sign the petition.  Please print it and get your friends to sign it too.  I know it uses up printer ink and paper, but signatures on online petitions are not read on the floor of Parliament.
  • Donate to No Tax on Tampons, Campaign Gears and other partners’ video project to make sure all Canadians hear about this discriminatory tax and learn how to remove it.