City-wide Toilet Strategy Survey
Access to public toilets is a fundamental human right. Access to public toilets 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.
This survey asks about your priorities, preferences and values for toilet access in the City, as well as about your current experiences using and accessing two different types of toilets:
- 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 the library. 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.
Your input will help us:
- understand current patterns of toilet use in New Westminster,
- identify neighbourhoods that may need additional facilities or supports to enhance access, such as attendant services, enhanced maintenance, or extended hours of availability,
- identify or build on strategies and partnerships to address gaps in toilet access, and
- establish guiding principles that will inform future efforts in providing toilets.
The City recognizes that not everyone has the same experience when accessing toilets, and we have identified several target populations who may face distinct challenges or barriers when accessing toilets. These populations include seniors; people living with disabilities; people living with health conditions; families with young children; and people who are unhoused. The results of the survey, other engagement activities, and research will inform recommendations that will be incorporated into the City-wide Toilet Strategy.
The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete and will be open until the end of day on Sunday, February 2, 2025.
Prefer to complete the survey in a different language? Click the Select Language button at the top right of the page, and choose your language. The survey, page content, and all other feedback tools will be translated.
We are also happy to offer additional support and options to share your feedback on this project. Please contact us at engage@newwestcity.ca with requests.