News & Updates

Dignity Washrooms: Profound Human Rights Work

Posted on: March 19, 2021

The City of Winnipeg is seeking a contractor to build a permanent public washroom facility next to Circle of Life Thunderbird House, with a target completion date of Aug. 31. This project was made possible by a $670,000 Canadian Medical Association grant, which includes $620,000 for the permanent washroom.

The permanent washroom is being designed by Bridgman Collaborative Architecture and will feature three bathroom stalls and two urinals will be placed in a more private area, largely constructed out of sturdy, sandblasted shipping containers. It is a harm-reduction model for a washroom where the facility will also include a small office that will provide space for social-support workers to connect with vulnerable Winnipeggers to offer social services supports. It will also provide space for washroom attendants to work out of.

I introduced the motion for Public Washrooms in July 2020 once it became known that the Canadian Medical Association was providing a grant to the City of Winnipeg. A lot of people spent a lot of time trying to find a place to go, in terms of public urination and defecation, which have been found in-between cars and in corners and at front entrances of buildings. The public health need in terms of people needing a place to go has become better and better known as the pandemic wears on, The addition of permanent toilets are profound human rights work that will also enhance cleanliness.

The remaining $50,000 of the grant was used to add seven portable washrooms in and around the downtown at five different locations:

473 Selkirk Ave.
26 Osborne St.
345 Portage Ave.
75 Martha St. (3 units)
222 Furby St.

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