Public Washrooms Are a Public Right, Not a Privilege
A place to go when you need to go shouldn’t be a privilege.
And yet, in cities like Toronto, public washroom infrastructure remains pretty inadequate—poorly distributed, difficult to locate, often inaccessible, and sometimes unsafe. The result? Deeply unequal access to public space.
This isn’t just a question of convenience. It’s about dignity, safety, and the right to exist in public—for everyone.
From unhoused neighbours, gig workers, and people with disabilities to parents, caregivers, and 2SLGBTQIA+ folks—especially trans and non-binary individuals—inadequate washroom access can mean exclusion from daily life. It’s a barrier to participation, a threat to personal health, and a denial of basic human needs.
A Challenge to Rethink Public Infrastructure
That’s why I’m excited to be serving on the jury for TO the Loo! The Toronto Toilet Design Challenge, led by the Toronto Public Space Committee.
This bold and much-needed competition invites designers to reimagine two kinds of facilities: a multi-user washroom hub, and a single-user washroom that can be adapted across different neighbourhoods in Toronto.
The goal? Not just to improve infrastructure, but to spark creative, inclusive, and practical solutions that truly serve the public.
From unhoused neighbours, gig workers, and people with disabilities to parents, caregivers, and 2SLGBTQIA+ folks—especially trans and non-binary individuals—inadequate washroom access can mean exclusion from daily life. It’s a barrier to participation, a threat to personal health, and a denial of basic human needs.
Why This Matters—Personally and Politically
As a mama of twin toddlers, I know how hard it can be to find a clean, accessible washroom when you’re out. But for many, the stakes are much higher than mere inconvenience.
In my Pride Talks, I often speak about how bathrooms have become flashpoints in the fight for 2SLGBTQIA+ justice. Public washrooms are one of the most visible and contested spaces when it comes to bodily autonomy, identity, and safety.
Rethinking how these spaces are designed is long overdue—and increasingly urgent.
Design for Dignity: The Six Pillars
The competition is rooted in six guiding pillars, each essential to making washrooms work for everyone:
• Spatial Justice: Equitable access across neighbourhoods and communities
• Accessibility: Designed for all bodies and all abilities
• Gender & Culture: Inclusive of identity and respectful of difference
• Harm Reduction: Supportive spaces that incorporate safety and health services
• Sustainability: Low-carbon, maintainable, and future-proof infrastructure
• Art & Community: Celebratory, human-centred and joyful design
Submit Your Vision
🗓️ Submissions are due by Friday, May 30 at 11:59 PM EST.
Winners will receive cash prizes and have their designs featured in Spacing magazine.
➡️ Learn more and register here
I’m looking forward to reviewing the submissions alongside my fellow jurors: Taylor Stocks, Elaine Chau, Naomi Adiv, Hannah Leyland, Christopher Pandolfi, and Reza Nik.
Huge thanks to Cara Chellew, Car Martin, and the whole competition team for launching this important initiative.
📣 Let’s design infrastructure that works for everyone—with care, creativity, and courage.