First Nations women in northern Ontario are advocating for better access to menstrual products at the Kenora District Jail. Longtime community advocate Tania Cameron has held menstrual product drives in the past, but after hearing that a female inmate was in tears about inadequate access to such supplies, she decided to go to the Ministry of the Solicitor General for answers. Two days after sending a letter to Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, Ontario's ombudsman and Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa, she was invited to visit the jail with Mamakwa and met two dozen female inmates.
The women told her that every time they need a menstrual product, they must request it from a correctional officer (CO), and it can sometimes take hours to get it. They are either given a pad from a roll, which they describe as more of a panty liner, or a tampon without an applicator. The panty liners are too light for regular or heavy-flow days and the tampons are difficult to use, Cameron said.
Many of the women expressed fears of repercussions for sharing their concerns. CBC News requested an interview with Kerzner and instead was provided an emailed response from ministry spokesperson Andrew Morrison. Michael Kerzner, Ontario's solicitor general, is seen in the Ontario Legislature in this November 2023 file photo.
A spokesperson for Kerzner's office says menstrual products are provided to inmates at the Kenora District Jail as needed at no cost. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press) "Menstrual products a.
