[homeles_ot-l] The "GottaGo!" campaign!

[Mike Bulthuis]

FYI: Sharing information on an emerging campaign in Ottawa, the  "GottaGo!"
campaign!

 

A lunchtime Roundtable discussion on the campaign takes place on Wednesday,
April 16, at 12 noon at Octopus Books Centretown Location (@ 25One Community
(2nd Floor, 251 Bank St.). 

 

* * * * * * *

 

The  "GottaGo!" campaign aims to create a network of safe, accessible, free,
clean and environmentally responsible public toilets and water fountains in
parks, major transit stops and key public places to meet the needs of
residents and tourists in Ottawa. 

 

Why we need a network of public toilets 

 

In a city such as Ottawa the needs of tourists, outdoor activities of
families, an aging population and disabled people, and the need to ensure
effective public health combine to demonstrate that a network of safe,
clean, accessible and environmentally responsible public toilets are
essential. In Vancouver, Nanaimo, Calgary and Edmonton municipalities are
taking the initiative to match the effective public toilet programs of
Tokyo, Paris, London, Seoul, Portland (Oregon) and other progressive cities.


 

Which of us has not been caught short by our need for a toilet? The Crohns
and Colitis Foundation surveyed their members in 2008 only to find that more
than 85% of them had been humiliated in this way. What parent has not had
their child urinate or defecate behind a tree in a park? Which pregnant
woman, tourist, bus user, cyclist or jogger has not had moments where they
worry about getting to a facility in time? 

 

Although Ottawa does have public restrooms in large parks, their hours do
not accommodate need. Small parks, rinks and splash pads often have no
washroom facilities at all. Transit stations do not have public toilets.
People with urgent needs, such as colitis and celiac sufferers, are held
captive in their homes and cars. In the downtown, where bars and restaurants
are located, residents complain about people urinating after hours in
laneways and buildings, and restaurant and bar owners fret about non-paying
customers using their washrooms. 

 

Accessible toilets are a public health issue and a key to sustainable
cities.

 

The current situation is unacceptable in a capital city.

 

The proposal

In Ottawa, the National Capital Commission and the City should:

.       Invest in signage, appropriate staffing, improvements and
maintenance for existing public toilets (recreation centres, libraries,
parks)

.       Add at least one 24/7 unisex direct access facility to public
buildings like firehalls, ambulance garages, recreation centres, libraries,
etc.

.       Provide subsidies to private operations in return for improvements,
open access, oversight and signage

.       Require new developments to have wheelchair/unisex direct access
toilets as part of their permitting; invest in some adult "changing
stations" for disabled users.

.       Build new toilets where required: major transit interchanges such as
LRT stations, well used public spaces, etc.

 

Dealing with concerns for safety, security and sanitation

 

The Ottawa police service agrees that toilets located in public or
commercial settings can be inclusive and safe environments. They can be
facilities that patrons feel confident to use, are easy to maintain, and are
resource efficient.  Design choices can be made that allow for easy cleaning
and management, resistance to vandalism, and low maintenance requirements.
Stand-alone single user facilities such as the Saniset used in Paris could
be located throughout the city; always-open "direct access" uni-sex,
wheelchair accessible facilities could be part of public buildings that are
only open during program hours. We can create useful jobs building and
maintaining public toilet facilities.

 

"Public toilets represent society's finest aspirations about responsible
civil behaviour. A great city has great public toilets" [1](Bridgeman). 

 

Contact: Joan Kuyek, Chair,  <mailto:Gottagocampaign at gmail.com>
Gottagocampaign at gmail.com

 

 

Mike Bulthuis

Executive Director

Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa

171 George Street, Ottawa ON K1N 5W5

613-241-1573, ext. 314

 


  _____  

[1]
<http://www.bridgmancollaborative.ca/Media%20Files/publictoiletsincanada.pdf
>
http://www.bridgmancollaborative.ca/Media%20Files/publictoiletsincanada.pdf

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