Report highlights concerns with Winnipeg's planned public washroom downtown
There are concerns around a new permanent public washroom set to open in downtown Winnipeg early next year.
The facility on Main Street is expected to open by February, offering vulnerable populations and other residents access to a safe space to use the washroom in the city's core.
But a new report to the city's Protection, Community Services and Parks committee highlights problems temporary washrooms throughout the city have endured over the past 16 months including vandalism, fire damage, and theft.
To reduce potential issues at the permanent facility, the report addresses the need for on-site staff with backgrounds in peer support and experience in harm reduction.
The report suggests the washroom operate on a 24-7 basis but currently, there's only enough funding for a 12-hour model.
"What we want to do is, we want to move toward having the facilities open as long as possible, having them as vandal-resistant as possible, and having people who are operating the washroom there to help," said Wins Bridgman, an architect and co-director of Bridgman Collaborative Architecture Ltd.
Bridgman said 24-hour access is important, but he recognizes it may need to happen in incremental steps.
"There's a lot of people at the corner of Henry and Main who are living in areas on the street who will need washrooms 24/7, so we should be able to provide washrooms 24/7," Bridgman said.
"However, 12 hours a day is a really good first step."
The city's proposed 2022 budget includes $250,000 for permanent washroom operations covering 12-hour staffing costs and facility maintenance.
Councillor Sherri Rollins, head of the committee, said she will continue to push for further funding because access to washrooms is a basic human right.
-with files from CTV's Daniel Halmarson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Trudeau's latest pre-budget pledge targets millennial moms, vowing $1B in loans for more child-care spaces
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
How do you navigate the social media minefield with your kids?
Growing fears about social media's harm have sparked lawsuits against social media companies from hundreds of school districts in the United States and now Canada. CTVNews.ca wants to know whether your children are addicted to social media or if you have concerns about their usage of platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and X.
BREAKING Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.