only in Canada...

Judy Wasylicia-Leis, my local member of parliament, our representative in the government of Canada, is putting forth a private members bill called the "Tampon Tax". To propose that we no longer pay a tax on tampons and menstrual products.

This sounds fair. But I have to slightly snicker as I think about a large formal room in Ottawa, full of mostly older men in suits, some women, taking a moment "debating" whether we should pay taxes for hygienic care of our monthly blood loss.

In University I was on a "whitewash" group that promoted reusable menstrual products. We made posters and had workshops. Promoting the reduction of dioxins used in paper products, and less garbage in our sewers and landfills. I still advocate for this choice.

Perhaps only in Canada, in a time of global uncertainty, national concerns, will our government stop for a moment and talk about what to do for women during their menstrual cycles.

It's funny because I also got a great card in the mail from my dear friend Bobby-Jo Halton that was a "Happy Period"card.

This almost made me think of being in Manila, when women, without hesitation would ask me straight up, right in front of Grace, if she'd started menstruating yet. This was a common discussion between strangers and friends. Don't even ask. That I just even wrote that last sentence is embarrassing enough.

Is this post interesting? Slightly humorous? Or uncomfortable?