'Tampon tax' petition collects more than 50,000 signatures

Canadian Jill Piebiakhas garnered more than 50,000 signatures on a petition calling on the federal government to end sales tax on tampons, sanitary pads and other menstrual products.

"To live a normal, healthy life in Canada menstruators have to buy these products every month," Piebiak, who hails from Toronto, told Daybreak North's Russell Bowers.

"We believe that a product like this, that should be classified as a medical product by the government should be tax free."

The idea itself isn't new.Most recently, NDP MPIrene Mathyssen tabledprivate member's bill C-282calling for an end to GST on tampons and pads.

"I don't think this has been brought forward as a debate. It's been brought forward as a private member's bill and private member's bills rarely get coverage and rarely get time in the house to be discussed."

Piebiaksaid she also plans to have a hard copy of the online petition tabledin the House of Commons, in hopes it eventually gets a proper debate.

Daybreak North sentradio producer "Curious" George Baker out in Prince Rupert, B.C. to see what people therethink of the idea. To hear their thoughts, as well as the full interview withJillPebiak, click the audio labelled: Fighting the tax on tampons.

Poll:Should people have to pay GST on tampons, sanitary pads and other menstrual products?