Exciting news for Ottawa's Centretown neighborhood! In 2025, the city will unveil two brand new public, self-cleaning washrooms, bolstering the area's public amenities with a generous budget allocation of $1 million.

Somerset Councillor Ariel Troster passionately shared the news on social media, declaring, "It's a win for the community!" This funding effort follows years of dedicated advocacy from local groups, particularly the influential GottaGo! campaign, which champions for better public restroom facilities.

Troster expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I cannot tell you how excited I am for this. After years of demand for clean, accessible washrooms, we will finally see these modular, self-cleaning public bathrooms become a reality in Centretown.” Once the budget is finalized, community consultations will take place to determine the best locations for these crucial facilities.

The push for improved public washrooms isn't just a local initiative; it’s a pressing issue for many cities battling inadequate public restroom availability. The GottaGo! Campaign currently lists only 22 public toilets spread across downtown Ottawa, including locations like Ottawa City Hall and the ByWard Market. Troster emphasized the necessity of these facilities: “Using the washroom is a fundamental human need. It’s completely inhumane that we do not have publicly accessible bathroom facilities, but we will in 2025.”

Coinciding with this announcement, the GottaGo! Campaign plans to observe World Toilet Day with a special event at Ottawa City Hall to draw attention to the critical need for clean and accessible public toilets. They will present postcards to city councillors, highlighting the essential role these facilities play in public health infrastructure.

Moreover, prior discussions within city infrastructure planning have shown that such self-cleaning public washrooms can cost around $430,000 each, with past proposals indicating a strong commitment to advancing public amenities in high-traffic areas like ByWard Market.

As Ottawa gears up for these innovative washrooms, it sets a precedent for cities across the nation, showcasing the importance of advocating for basic human needs in public spaces. Stay tuned as Centretown prepares to embrace these much-needed facilities in just two short years!