FAQs

Access to public toilets is a fundamental human right. It also supports public health and is essential for supporting independence for everyone in our community. The City is developing a City-wide Toilet Strategy that will include recommendations to address gaps in the availability, safety, maintenance, and dignity of toilet facilities throughout New Westminster. Staff research has shown that other municipalities in Canada and elsewhere are also grappling with the challenges of public toilet provision, and some have also developed public toilet strategies to address the public toilet needs of their communities. In the summer of 2024, New Westminster City Council directed staff to develop a City-wide Toilet Strategy that assesses gaps in the provision of toilets in the city, and develops recommendations to better meet the needs of all community members.

To develop the City-wide Toilet Strategy, City staff are taking on the following activities:

• Assessment of all existing toilet facilities in New Westminster. This will be conducted through a situational analysis that maps the location, hours of operation, seasonal availability, and accessibility of all public toilets, as well as any toilets in private settings (i.e. inside businesses and restaurants) that are listed as being available to members of the public through the GoHere® app. This analysis will identify gaps in toilet access and availability throughout the city. 
• Research on promising practices occurring in other cities related to the provision of pubic toilets.
• Formation of working groups with City staff and key community-serving organizations that support people or groups that have distinct needs or face barriers when accessing toilets.
• Engagement with members of the community, including those who may face distinct challenges or barriers when accessing toilets, which include:
  • seniors
  • people living with disabilities
  • people living with health conditions 
  • families with young children
  • people who are unhoused 

The City-wide Toilet Strategy aims to understand and assess gaps in access to all toilets, both public toilets and toilets in private settings, in New Westminster. 

• Public toilets: toilets that are available to all members of the public, and do not require a purchase or membership in an organization to access them. This includes toilets that are available in City-run buildings, such as parks, recreation centres, and public libraries. It can also include toilets in non-City run buildings, such as shopping centres, although toilets in these settings are outside of the City’s responsibility to manage. 
• Toilets in private settings: toilets in private buildings such as in businesses or restaurants, where a purchase, access code, or membership might be required to access the toilet.  

The City of New Westminster is only responsible for the provision of public toilets in City-run buildings, such as those in City-operated parks, recreation facilities, and libraries. However, by assessing the availability and accessibility to other public toilets such as ones inside shopping centres that are open to the public in New Westminster and toilets in private settings, we hope to understand gaps in toilet access and explore opportunities to enhance toilet access through partnerships with local organizations and businesses.

While everyone benefits from increased access to toilets, the City recognizes that not everyone has the same experience when accessing toilets. The City is hosting engagement activities to learn more about our community’s distinct experiences and needs when accessing toilets in New Westminster. 

The results of public engagement will help to inform recommendations in the City-wide Toilet Strategy to meet the needs of all community members. To share your experience accessing toilets in New Westminster, click here and complete the survey.

The City’s website has information about all City-run public washrooms in New Westminster, including a map showing where toilets are located as well as their hours of operation. This information is updated manually whenever updates are required, and information may not be 100% accurate in real-time.

The City of New Westminster is also a participating partner in the GoHere® Washroom Access App, which is managed by Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. This app helps users find washrooms across Canada by mapping:

• the closest available washrooms to where you are, or 
• available washrooms along a planned route, for instance on your commute to work, road trip, or when using public transportation.

The GoHere® app includes information about both public toilets and toilets in private settings such as businesses and restaurants, but information on availability is also updated manually and may not be 100% accurate in real-time.

No, businesses are not legally required to provide washrooms for the public. Businesses that offer sit-down dining are required by the Public Health Act to provide washroom facilities for their customers. However, they are not required to provide them to the general public, and may restrict access if they choose. Businesses may voluntarily choose to open their washrooms to the general public, and some do this by listing their business as a participating business on the GoHere® app.

The City has contracted the services of a specialized waste removal company that is trained and able to deal with human waste. If you would like to report human waste on public property, please contact our Engineering Operations yard (604-526-4691 or engops@newwestcity.ca) and they will arrange for collection.

As part of the Crises Response Pilot Project and the Downtown Livability Strategy, the City of New Westminster is working with a specialized company that is trained and able to deal with biohazardous waste.

Please note that at this time, the Biohazard Removal Program is available to businesses in the Downtown neighbourhood only. More information on the Biohazard Waste Removal program including the eligibility waiver can be found here.

• The Parks and Recreation Plan (2008 and 2025): this plan is currently being updated and is expected to be completed in the Spring/Summer of 2025. The previous plan was completed in 2008.
• The Age Friendly Community Strategy (2017 and 2025): the previous Age-Friendly Community Strategy was released in 2017. City is currently undertaking work to update this strategy, and work will be done to ensure that there is sufficient alignment between the updated Age-Friendly Community Strategy and the City-wide Toilet Strategy.
• The Downtown Livability Strategy (2021): The Downtown Livability Strategy identified cleanliness and 24-hour public toilets as one of five areas of focus within the strategy. 
• The Crises Response Pilot Project (CRPP): the CRPP was endorsed by Council in November 2023 and officially launched in September 2024. In addition to advocating for enhanced shelter, outreach, and supportive housing, one of the stated goals of the CRPP is the provision of a 24/7 trailer that includes showers, sinks, and toilets. This trailer was installed in August 2024 and can be found along Front Street, near the nightly shelter at 502 Columbia Street. 
• The Homelessness Action Strategy (2022): This strategy identifies a number of key areas for action, including relating to increasing toilet access at transit points and providing access to toilets that are available 24/7.