Mariam El-Behiry
Who has not been caught short by a need for a toilet at a time where none seem to be around? What parent has not had to resort to a tree in a park when their child needed to use a toilet? Which tourist, public transit user, pregnant woman or cyclist has not had doubts about leaving their home because of worries of not finding a facility in time if needed?
As a capital city, Ottawa’s lack of safe, clean, accessible and environmentally responsible public toilets is unacceptable, says the Ottawa-based GottaGo! Campaign. It’s making this lack an issue in the current city budget.
Tourists visiting the city are shocked by the lack of public toilets, it says. Public toilet systems are safely and fully implemented in other cities in Canada, including Edmonton, Vancouver, London, and Montreal, and in Nova Scotia.
Founded in 2014 by Joan Kuyek, Gotta Go! believes that this is not only a problem of accessibility but also a public health issue, a disability issue, a tourism issue, and a key to sustainable cities and complete streets.
In a letter sent to Mayor Jim Watson and city councillors on October 5, GottaGo! asked for the inclusion of public toilets as essential public health infrastructure in the current budget considerations.
Twenty-seven organizations supported the initiative, including downtown BIAs, the Council on Aging, the Federation of Citizens’ Associations of Ottawa and individual community associations, the Ottawa Disability Coalition, the Shepherds of Good Hope, the Social Planning Council of Ottawa, and the Somerset West Community Health Centre. Both Councillor Catherine McKenney and MPP Joel Harden signed on.
The initiative proposes the following models for accessible toilets: signage for existing public toilets, subsidies to existing businesses, and permanent public toilets.
Bessa Whitmore, a core team member of GottaGo!, spoke on the obstacles the campaign faces from public officials. Cost and safety are the most common concerns: “The cost is weighed up against all the other needs of the city: Is it more important to build another kilometre of road in Barrhaven than a set of public toilets with adequate staffing or even some signage? Another issue is safety. Many people will say that [public toilets] are unsafe, or unclean. All we have to do is look at successful models around the world and Canada.”
Another issue the campaign seeks to resolve is the lack of signage around the city. “The issue of cost is understandable but putting up signs around the city showing where toilets are and how far they are is feasible. We have urged the city over the years to put up signage and have gotten nowhere.”
Because of COVID-19, the availability and accessibility of public restrooms has only worsened. Many businesses have closed their restrooms to the public and public toilets around the city are closed or under restricted hours of operation.
“During these times, we are encouraged to exercise and breathe fresh air,” Whitmore said. “It’s difficult to do so with restroom restrictions. Dundonald Park has a playground for kids and senior activities are ongoing but there are no toilets. Needles and feces are being found in the area. What is even more dangerous is that the science is telling us that human waste can contain COVID-19.”
How can citizens support this initiative? Whitmore advises: “Getting involved means contacting your city councillors and the mayor on this issue. Talk about the issue enough so there won’t be a chance for it to be dismissed. The more the public pressures their councillors to make a commitment, the more we will be heard.”
To become involved with GottaGo! and keep up with their ongoing progress, visit www.ottawapublictoilets.ca/