A person who menstruates throws away roughly 400 pounds of packaging from pads and tampons in their lifetime.

One Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board official said schools need to find a way to make access "more inclusive."

Two of the school board's trustees who put forward the motion say it passed unanimously at a meeting earlier this week.

The city says it will be the first in the province to offer the products at no cost in civic facilities.

The OPP is investigating after learning of an offensive comment posted to Facebook that appears to have been written by the media officer for its Lambton detachment. 

Last week at Halifax Regional Council, Coun. Lorelei Nicoll put forward the motion to have staff look into providing menstrual products for free at all municipal facilities.

The government proposes to put menstrual products, such as tampons, in the same group of supplies employers must provide free, which includes toilet paper, soap, warm water, and a way to dry your hands.

"This is a common-sense step forward that is, frankly, long overdue."

'There is no reason anyone should say, 'I can't afford this, I'm not going to have it this month.''

Menstrual products would be free at city-owned arenas, pools and community centres.