Ottawa to spend $1 million for two self-cleaning washrooms in Centretown in 2025
Ottawa's Centretown neighbourhood is getting two new public, self-cleaning washrooms next year.
Somerset Coun. Ariel Troster says the 2025 draft budget includes $1 million for two new public washrooms in the downtown ward.
"It's a win for the community," Troster said on Facebook about the funding for stand-alone washrooms.
"I cannot tell you how excited I am for this. This is as a result of years of advocacy by groups, including the GottaGo! Campaign and now we are going to be able to build two modular, self-cleaning public bathrooms in Centretown."
"Once this budget is passed, we will be reaching out to the community to ask you where you think they should go."
The GottaGo! Campaign has a list of 22 public toilets available in downtown Ottawa, including at Ottawa City Hall, the ByWard Market, the Ottawa Public Library and the National Arts Centre.
"Using the washroom is a fundamental human need," Troster said. "It's completely inhumane that we do not have publicly accessible bathroom facilities, but we will in 2025."
The GottaGo! Campaign has been calling on the city to create a network of clean and accessible public toilets in Ottawa, pushing the city to take urgent action.
On Tuesday, the GottaGo! Campaign marked World Toilet Day by presenting postcards to councillors, "to highlight the critical importance of safe, clean and accessible public toilets as essential public health infrastructure."
"Everybody needs to use the washroom. Whether you are a parent with a kid or whether you just have to go," Troster said in an interview.
"Some people have digestive problems. Certainly it's difficult for seniors, for pregnant people, and this is something we really noticed during the pandemic when suddenly all the stores were closed and there was nowhere to go."
The City of Waterloo installed a similar self-cleaning bathroom in May. Officials say the project has been a success.
"Overall, the experience is good. We have received lots of positive feedback and accessibility wise as well. We try to include accessibility features as much as we can," said Swati Vekariya, facilities project manager with the City of Waterloo.
Ottawa residents shared mixed opinions about the idea on Tuesday.
"I think we need a lot more of that throughout the city," said resident Laura Blanchette.
"People need to use washrooms, not only tourists, but also people are who are unhoused."
Some residents raised issues with the high cost of the facilities.
"I think that’s a frivolous expenditure," said Dave Wynes.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
In 2020, a list of potential infrastructure projects presented by City Staff suggested the cost of building stand-alone, self-cleaning public washrooms in the ByWard Market and on Sparks Street would cost $430,000 each.
In 2021, federal, provincial and municipal officials announced more than $1.6 million in funding for ByWard Market infrastructure, including a new self-cleaning public washroom.
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Peter Szperling
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump threatens to try to take back the Panama Canal. Panama's president balks at the suggestion
Donald Trump suggested Sunday that his new administration could try to regain control of the Panama Canal that the United States “foolishly” ceded to its Central American ally, contending that shippers are charged “ridiculous” fees to pass through the vital transportation channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Man handed 4th distracted driving charge for using cell phone on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
An Ottawa driver was charged for using a cell phone behind the wheel on Sunday, the fourth time he has faced distracted driving charges.
Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration
Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms.
Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no
A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General.
opinion Christmas movies for people who don't like Christmas movies
The holidays can bring up a whole gamut of emotions, not just love and goodwill. So CTV film critic Richard Crouse offers up a list of Christmas movies for people who might not enjoy traditional Christmas movies.
More than 7,000 Jeep SUVs recalled in Canada over camera display concern
A software issue potentially affecting the rearview camera display in select Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee models has prompted a recall of more than 7,000 vehicles.
'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years
After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy.
10 hospitalized after carbon monoxide poisoning in Ottawa's east end
The Ottawa Police Service says ten people were taken to hospital, with one of them in life-threatening condition, after being exposed to carbon monoxide in the neighbourhood of Vanier on Sunday morning.
New York City police apprehend suspect in the death of a woman found on fire in a subway car
New York City police announced Sunday they have in custody a “person of interest” in the early morning death of a woman who they believe may have fallen asleep on a stationary subway train before being intentionally lit on fire by a man she didn't know.