Council urged to support permanent funding for public washrooms downtown
Coun. Skylar Franke said a movement towards ‘needs-based budgeting’ at city hall must include support for basic human needs like public washrooms.
“A lot of places require that you purchase something like a coffee or a bagel to use their washrooms and that’s not feasible for everyone,” Franke explained. “I know a lot of families, a lot of moms, that are out there with their kids who need to go and use [a washroom] really quickly.”
A business case in the upcoming 2024-2027 municipal budget seeks permanent funding to operate the public washrooms on Dundas Place and in the Victoria Park bandshell for 12 hours each day.
The additional $350,000 per year would fund security, cleaning, washroom supplies, and maintenance/repairs.
The business case warns that without the financial increase, current base funding will only keep the public washrooms open 5 hours each day and during special events.
The alternatives to public washrooms are limited for 28-year-old Corey, who has struggled with homelessness for years, “Pretty much you have to pay for [food at a restaurant] to use the washroom, or go behind some dumpster.”
The budget business case reads, “Increased Dundas Place and Victoria Park public washroom operation may help to minimize cleanliness concerns reported on sidewalks, in parks, and on private property.”
A lock on the door to a public washroom in the Victoria Park bandshell seen on Jan. 18, 2024. (Daryl Newcombe/CTV News London)
Franke suggested extended hours support downtown revitalization on multiple fronts, “If we’re meeting peoples’ housing needs and we’re making downtown an attractive place to be, I think that those washrooms are needed either way.”
She said access to washrooms allow shoppers to spend more time downtown.
The public washrooms in Victoria Park and on Dundas Place each receive about 70 to 100 daily uses.
Vintage clothing retailer Chaotic Closet has experienced benefits from the extended washroom hours on Dundas Place.
“There’s a washroom two stores away,” said Manager and Creative Director Munahid Shakil. “It’s a great thing that the city did and I would say it’s been really helpful for the basic needs of people.”
With many competing priorities for tax dollars during upcoming budget deliberations, Franke said washrooms should not be considered ‘nice-to have’ services, “Washrooms are a ‘need-to-have.’ I do think it’s a tough budget season, but it should be a needs-based budget.”
Council will begin deliberating the 2024-2027 municipal budget on Feb. 1.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Watch Live Now: Canadian analysis ahead of the CNN Presidential Debate
U.S. President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump are set to go head-to-head tonight in the first of two planned presidential debates. Here's how to watch the CNN Presidential Debate, Power Play's pre- and post-debate specials, and follow along in our real-time CTVNews.ca live expert analysis and commentary by debate and body-language experts.
'Hanging on for her life': Sask. family desperate to bring home sick niece from Philippines
For half a decade, a Saskatoon family has been trying to bring their orphaned niece to Canada, they say now it’s a matter of life or death.
'No additional flights will be cancelled': WestJet avoids strike as feds order binding arbitration
A potential strike by WestJet airplane mechanics would upend travel plans for 250,000 customers over the Canada Day long weekend, the airline says — and cost it millions of dollars.
BREAKING Nunavut judge sentences Toronto woman to 3 years prison for Inuit identity fraud
A Nunavut judge has sentenced a Toronto woman to three years in prison in a case of Inuit identity fraud.
Canada's top court rejects appeal from Sask. man who murdered wife
The Supreme Court of Canada has rejected an application from a Saskatoon man who murdered his wife.
Where do new Canadians come from? India and Philippines take top spots
Canada has welcomed more than 3.9 million new citizens since 2005, with nearly one third coming from India, the Philippines or China, according to a CTVNews.ca analysis.
Marilyn Monroe's former Los Angeles home declared a historic monument to save it from demolition
Fans of Marilyn Monroe have won a battle to preserve her mark on Los Angeles and are a step closer to seeing a towering statue of the silver screen icon remain in Palm Springs.
Man charged with threatening to kill presidential candidates found dead as jury was deciding verdict
A New Hampshire man charged with threatening the lives of presidential candidates last year has been found dead while a jury was deciding his verdict, according to court filings Thursday.
AI regulation 'a start,' needs to 'have teeth': Hinton, godfather of AI, says
So-called godfather of AI Geoffrey Hinton says he's 'pleased' governments are starting to take artificial intelligence, and the possible regulations of it, seriously.