Menopause Foundation Launches National Policy Agenda
The new initiative addresses economic losses and workplace barriers for women in Canada.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Women’s Issues
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The Menopause Foundation of Canada has launched the Menopause Policy Agenda for Canada to address the economic and professional impact of unmanaged symptoms. More than 250 organizations have already signed onto the associated Menopause Works Here campaign.
Why it matters
The agenda aims to rectify systemic failures that lead to significant economic losses and force women out of the workforce. By outlining seven key priorities, it seeks to normalize menopause in the professional environment and improve support for employees.
Unmanaged symptoms result in a $3.5 billion economic loss annually and 540,000 lost work days. Currently, one in 10 women report leaving the workforce due to menopause.
The players
Menopause Foundation of Canada
This is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and professional outcomes of women during the menopause transition.
The details
The initiative encourages employers to provide coverage for menopause treatments through healthcare spending accounts while utilizing leadership roundtables to educate staff. These measures are designed to combat the reality that two-thirds of women feel uncomfortable discussing symptoms with their supervisors.
Timeline
The Menopause Policy Agenda for Canada was officially launched in 2026.
Culture Shift
This policy agenda reflects a broader movement to dismantle long-standing stigmas surrounding women's health in corporate culture. It follows the momentum of the Menopause Works Here campaign, which has already successfully mobilized 250 organizations to adopt more supportive workplace standards.
Employees may see increased access to menopause-related treatments through expanded employer-provided healthcare spending accounts. The initiative also aims to create a more transparent culture where discussing health needs with supervisors becomes standard practice.
The takeaway
Recognizing the professional and economic impact of menopause is a critical step in maintaining workforce participation for women. Companies can implement immediate change by prioritizing education and inclusive health benefits to support employees through this transition.
Further reading
Learn more about evolving workplace standards in the Women’s Issues section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Benefits Canada.
Live Poll
Should employers implement specific policies to support employees experiencing menopause in the workplace?
