Whitby councillor calls for free menstrual products in community facilities, days after insulting colleague in hot-mic moment
Published October 14, 2021 at 4:15 pm
Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor Chris Leahy, still embroiled in a controversy for an insulting hot-mic comment about Councillor Rhonda Mulcahy, will put forward a motion for the town to provide women menstrual products at town facilities.
Leahy tweeted out a press release today outlining the plan. It reads in part, “the lack of feminine hygiene products in has been identified as a barrier to participation,” and calls the move a “no-brainer.”
— Chris Leahy Deputy Mayor Town of Whitby (@ChrisLeahy) October 14, 2021
He said he was inspired by recent changes made by the Ontario government to provide menstrual products in schools. The partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart will send six million period products to schools throughout the province every year starting this fall.
“One of our stated goals at the Whitby Town Council to [sic] treat all of its residents and employees in an equitable manner.”
Meanwhile, the Deputy Mayor remains in hot water for a comment he made in the last town council meeting. During a discussion, when Leahy believed himself muted, he could be heard saying, “Let’s hear what Big Rhonda has to say,” as Regional Councillor Rhonda Mulcahy rose to address council.
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Leahy apologized to Mulcahy the next day, which she rejected as seemingly insincere. He also took the unusual step of filing a complaint against himself with the Whitby Integrity Commissioner.
He will apologize publicly in the next Whitby Town council meeting on October 18. Leahy will put forward his motion in the same meeting.
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