Group photo of approximately 18 people standing on the grand staircase inside Ontario's Legislative Building at Queen's Park in Toronto. The group is arranged in several rows beneath an ornate chandelier, with wood-paneled walls, historic portraits, and an arched corridor visible in the background.

Ontario Opposition Introduces Menopause Awareness Bill as Advocacy Momentum Builds

On October 20, leaders from the Menopause Foundation of Canada (MFC) were at Queen’s Park for an event hosted by MPP Peggy Sattler (London West), featuring a roundtable discussion with others contributing to improved menopause care, education and workplace support across the province. MPP Sattler, together with MPPs Catherine Fife (Waterloo), Alexa Gilmour (Parkdale High Park), and Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto Centre) then held a press conference where she announced her intention to introduce the Menopause Awareness Act, 2026, a private member’s bill that would designate October as Menopause Awareness Month and October 18 as Menopause Awareness Day in Ontario.

As part of the media event, Trish Barbato, Co-Founder and Board Chair, provided remarks, emphasizing why awareness matters: “Menopause is more than a health issue. It is a workforce issue, an economic issue and a public policy issue. That is why this private member’s bill is an excellent beginning. By declaring October as Menopause Awareness Month and October 18 as Menopause Awareness Day, Ontario will lead the country in declaring its commitment to support menopausal women. Women deserve the information, care, and support they need to thrive and contribute to Ontario’s economy. Our Menopause Policy Agenda provides the roadmap: seven practical, achievable priorities ready for government adoption.”

The proposed legislation aligns directly with priority seven in the Menopause Policy Agenda for Canada, Break the stigma: raise public awareness about menopause. Increasing visibility and public understanding is essential to improving care, strengthening workplace support, and addressing the economic impacts of menopause.

When MFC began advancing national awareness and understanding of menopause in 2022, there was little talk of menopause in the public realm — and none in any provincial or territorial legislative chamber. MFC is proud to have been part of the advocacy that has brought us to this point—we look forward to more progress in Ontario and across the country.

Watch the full news conference here.

Watch Trish Barbato speak at the news conference here: