Vancouver will build more public washrooms in downtown

The city of Vancouver is taking steps to build more public washrooms in the city.

City Council unanimously approved a motion Wednesday called “Places to Be and Places to Go”, which was put forward by councillor Pete Fry.

Staff will now conduct a needs assessment along the Province to identify suitable locations for safe and clean washrooms.

Fry noted during the meeting that this initiative is particularly timely as the city prepares to host FIFA matches next year.

“As we get to work to welcome the world of football, we really want to have a handle on this public defecation and urination.”

One speaker at the meeting was Monique Nicholas with Women Transforming Cities, who says washrooms are essential for the social wellbeing of residents.

“Having access to a bathroom when you need one is a fundamental aspect of human dignity, it’s also essential to the same healthy and inclusive communities that you [councillors] committed to fighting for during [the] election,” Nicholas said.

This decision also comes in response to concerns raised by the city’s business improvement associations, says there has been an increase in public defecation in recent years.

As part of the plan, Vancouver mayor Ken Sim will will write a letter to the provincial government requesting funds to support the expansion of public washrooms.