From the front lines: a student’s perspective on Ottawa’s public toilet crisis 

The only public toilets in the Glebe 

Photo: Courtesy of GottaGo 

 

From the front lines: a student’s perspective on Ottawa’s public toilet crisis 

By Mya Aston 

 

Where do you go when there’s nowhere to go? It’s a question I hadn’t given much thought to until I started my student placement with the GottaGo! Campaign. Now, as I walk through Ottawa’s neighbourhoods, the lack of accessible public toilets has become glaringly obvious. It’s not just an inconvenience, it’s an equity issue. 

On World Toilet Day 2024, I had the opportunity of joining the GottaGo team at City Hall for an event that highlighted just how urgent this issue is. As someone new to this kind of advocacy, the experience was insightful and uplifting. 

 

GottaGo 

The GottaGo! Campaign is a grassroots organization dedicated to creating a network of clean, safe and accessible public toilets across Ottawa. Their work isn’t glamorous, but it’s essential. Public toilets support dignity, health and inclusion, especially for parents with young children, seniors, people with disabilities, menstruating individuals, those with medical conditions and the homeless population. 

Throughout my placement, I’ve witnessed the team’s commitment to keeping this issue front and centre. From meeting with community groups to designing creative campaigns like postcards to city councillors, GottaGo! combines passion with persistence. 

 

World Toilet Day  

At the World Toilet Day event on November 19, GottaGo presented over 400 signed postcards from residents to over a dozen city councillors. These postcards, designed by local artists with funding from the Ottawa Community Foundation, symbolize the city’s collective demand for change. 

It was great to see the collaboration between advocates, community members and local leaders like councillors Shawn Menard, Theresa Kavanagh and Marty Carr, who attended the event. They spoke about the tangible impact of even small changes, like adding signage to Ottawa’s “hidden” public toilets – those tucked away in places like libraries and community centres. 

“Signage is not expensive,” Menard reminded us, highlighting one of the campaign’s key proposals. Simple solutions like this can make a huge difference in people’s lives. 

 

The State of Public Toilets in Ottawa 

One of the most surprising things I’ve learned during my placement is just how limited Ottawa’s public toilet infrastructure is. Outside of downtown, there are few facilities. The only public toilets you’ll find in the Glebe, for example, are located at Lansdowne Park. As councillor Marty Carr pointed out: “Going to the bathroom isn’t a seasonal sport.”  

The GottaGo! team has worked tirelessly to address these gaps. Their 2024 World Toilet Day Report graded the city’s efforts this year a D+. While there have been minor improvements – like more porta-potties at some parks and sports fields, along with updated maps in the Byward Market – there’s still no comprehensive plan for broad public toilet infrastructure. 

But one big initiative was recently announced – the City’s 2025 budget includes money for two new stand-alone, self-cleaning public toilets in Centretown. That’s good news, especially for groups hit harder by a lack of facilities. For seniors, individuals managing Crohn’s disease, caregivers of young children or those experiencing homelessness, finding a toilet isn’t just a matter of convenience, it’s often a matter of urgent necessity.  

 

A Student’s Takeaway 

This placement has opened my eyes to how public infrastructure – or the lack thereof – can profoundly shape people’s lives. The absence of public toilets limits access to parks, markets and downtown spaces, for residents and visitors alike. At the same time, I’ve seen how grassroots advocacy can create change. The postcards, the meetings with councillors and the media coverage we’ve garnered all contribute to building momentum. This work has shown me that even small victories like better signage or extended park washroom hours can improve lives in meaningful ways. And while Ottawa still has a long way to go, I’m hopeful that the efforts of GottaGo! and its supporters will lead to lasting change. 

 

Looking Ahead 

What’s next for GottaGo? The campaign will continue advocating for better signage, year-round washroom access in parks and a city-wide plan for public toilets. From my perspective as a social work student, this issue is about more than just toilets – it’s about equity, dignity and ensuring that public spaces truly serve the public. And as I near the end of my placement, I’m grateful to have been part of this work, knowing that even the smallest efforts can make a big difference. 

To learn more about the GottaGo! Campaign or to join the movement, visit our website, follow @GottaGoCampaign on social media, or email us: gottagocampaign@gmail.com. 

 

Mya Aston is a social work student whose work placement was with GottaGo. 

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