The tampon tax is dead.

The federal government announced Thursday the GST and the federal portion of the HST will no longer be charged on feminine hygiene products starting July 1.

Last year, Canadian women spent about $519,976,963 on tampons, pads and menstrual cups, which put more than $36,398,387 into government coffers, according to Statistics Canada.

"Finally, the government has listened to reason and put an end to this injustice. That is a victory for all women," NDP MP Irene Mathyssen, whose motion earlier this month to nix the tax received all-party support, said in a statement Thursday.

The NDP said the tax "unfairly penalizes women, transgender and other people with periods."

Many consider the tax discriminatory because only women have to pay it and it's for something essential. Activist Jill Piebiak had more than 74,000 supporters for her No Tax on Tampons online petition this spring, but there have been calls to cut the tax ever since the GST was introduced more than 20 years ago.

"I think that this is just a very positive move for Canadian women, and it's in alignment with our government's record in this regard," Minister of State Michelle Rempel said Thursday.

"Regardless of gender, we're all committed in the Conservative caucus to lowering taxes for Canadians," she said.

Four provinces also exempt feminine hygiene products from provincial sales tax: B.C., Ontario, Nova Scotia and Manitoba.

-- with files from Kate Dubinski

Some items not taxed in Canada:

Cocktail cherries

Cake decorations

Orthodontic devices

Contact lenses

Incontinence products

Artificial limbs

Daycare

Rent and condo fees

Bridge, road and ferry tolls

Music lessons

*Source: Canada Revenue Agency