The lack of public toilets in Vancouver is problematic

By means of: Zobia Khalid, Peak employee

The habits bathroom in isolation is a basic right We all deserve it. Bathrooms provide a private space to tend to our bodily needs, cleanse ourselves, apply makeup, and even have a safe haven to cry. They are essential for a just society. However, for the homeless or people who go to the toilet more often, this need is hardly met because of the lack of public toilets in Vancouver.

It is no surprise that the city has decided to to delete two public toilets in the Downtown Eastside, as the city government has consistently done shown it doesn’t care about the marginalized populations that live there. Earlier last year, the forced displacement of people living in tents on East Hastings left vulnerable residents without a safe or familiar place to live. This was home to many people — the streets, the people, the local shops. Aand street sweeping actions are a common occurrence, as this year in January The city resumed its eviction of homeless people in East Hastings.

While many will argue that the closure of public restrooms is due to cost, keep in mind that the city spent $409,000 just to send police officers to the January eviction. public toilet costs about $37,000-$48,000 per year. Moreover, the city’s willingness to spend $645,000 on a public toilet in Yaletowna higher income neighborhood, clearly shows an ulterior motive.

People cannot tolerate this discomfort for long before they have an accident or get an infection.

Many businesses that have restrooms restrict them to paying customers, or discriminate against the homeless. Often when asked for a key, the homeless people are told that the bathroom is out of orderdespite seeing others come out. One individual told World News they ended up having an accident on the sixth store they were approaching. The incident was extremely embarrassing and dehumanizing — no one should have to go through this.

Being a menstruating homeless person is an even more complicated process. While shelters providing a limited amount of menstrual products is not even enough last an average person per day. Many people resort to rolled up toilet paper, which only lasts so long before it starts to leak. Walking from business to business and getting turned away only prolongs that journey to privacy. People can only stand around in that discomfort for so long before they have an accident or a infection.

Vancouver is slow to expand their decampment attempts beyond East Hastings, destroying rich communities and cultures. The ongoing CRAB park Evictions on Waterfront Road continue to crowd out homeless people under the guise of safety. The truth is that the city doesn’t care about them as much as it does about people with more privilege. They just want the highest paying person in every area, and it starts by denying basic human rights like toilets. There is no doubt that the city can afford to deny access to public toilets for everyoneand it’s high time they do.