PRINCE GEORGE—Today, the college has announced that free menstrual products will be available to all students at CNC across all campuses. Students who utilize female and gender-neutral washrooms will be able to use the newly installed dispensers to access free pads and tampons for them to use.

Since 2019, the CNCSU has been committed to assuring that all students will have free access to menstrual products via the foodbank program. “In developing our proposal for CNC’s consideration, we partnered with other students’ unions under the BC Federation of Students for the ‘Period Promise’ campaign designed by United Way,” said Guntas Kanda, organizer at CNCSU.

The CNCSU is glad to see that the College of New Caledonia has listened to our request, as the implementation of these dispensers significantly impacts our members. “For many years, the students’ union provided donated menstrual products if students unexpectedly required them or could not afford them,” said Anuroop Kaur, women students’ representative at CNCSU. “The service was highly utilized, demonstrating a need. Offering these products for free in washrooms will allow students to easily access products they need without shame or stigma.”

In November 2021, the CNCSU made a case to the administrators of various departments at the College of New Caledonia pushing for the implementation of these dispensers. “The CNCSU made a thoughtful case in support of expanding access to menstrual products,” said Shelley Carter-Rose, CNC’s vice president of student affairs and the college’s liaison to CNCSU. “We want to ensure students have a positive experience at the college, and our on-going work between CNC leadership and CNCSU representatives highlighted the importance of this project. This is a key part of our lhulh whuts’odutel’eh | Learning Together strategic plan and commitment to student success.”

We are excited to announce our progress in fighting for students, and we look forward to getting more done for our members. This project wasn’t accomplished in a single meeting but by the dedicated, hard work of student representatives, volunteers, and union partners across the province.

Sincerely, Anuroop Kaur

For more information, please contact: 
Anuroop Kaur, Women Students’ Representative
women@cncsu.ca | (250) 561-5852

Guntas Kanda, Organizer
organizer@cncsu.ca | (250) 561-5852