Letter: Owen Sound’s Public Washroom Plan Misses the Mark, Says Resident
Jim Hutton questions Owen Sound Council's decision to invest $75,000 in public washrooms that will not be open 24/7 and shares a solution municipalities across Canada are implementing.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
The issue of public washroom availability in the River District has been seeking a solution for at least two years. On October 27, 2025, the Council voted to renovate the Farmers’ Market washroom at a cost of $75,000 based on a Staff Report.
However, the Council lacked sufficient information to make an informed decision, as only two options were presented.
Two Distinct Needs, One Solution
There are two distinct needs for public washrooms in our community:
Shoppers and visitors during business hours
The unhoused population requires 24-hour access
The chosen solution addresses only the first need. While the plan proposes extending Farmers’ Market washroom access until 10:00 PM, the staff report fails to clarify whether this facility will be available seven days per week during these hours and completely neglects the critical after-hours need.
The report itself acknowledges this shortcoming, stating: “There is no single perfect solution, as the issues outlined in this report range from safety and cleanliness to cost, accessibility, and community impact.”
An Affordable Alternative: The Portland Loo
However, there is an affordable solution that addresses both needs. Over a dozen Canadian municipalities have successfully implemented the Portland Loo—a purpose-built public washroom designed explicitly for communities facing homelessness and substance use challenges, at a cost of approximately $140,000.
Design Features That Work
The Portland Loo’s defining strength lies in its simplicity and focus on visibility without sacrificing user dignity. Key features include:
Safety and Monitoring
Each unit’s entrance faces outward toward streets or sidewalks, ensuring users are visible as they enter or exit while maintaining privacy inside. This design discourages hidden or prolonged activity without invasive surveillance that stigmatizes vulnerable populations.
Crisis Prevention
The Loo incorporates anti-ligature features, such as rounded fixtures, recessed toilet paper holders, and breakaway shower heads, which reduce the potential for self-harm. In a community grappling with opioid addiction and mental health crises, these thoughtful details can literally save lives.
Maintenance and Durability
Easy-to-clean materials like stainless steel, sloped floors, and hose-down-friendly drains make the Loo ideal for Owen Sound’s climate and municipal maintenance capabilities. Staff can clean and disinfect efficiently, keeping facilities sanitary and functional.
Harm Reduction Considerations
Some jurisdictions have installed blue or UV lighting to make veins harder to see, thereby discouraging injection drug use. However, this feature remains controversial as it may force drug users into more dangerous, isolated environments.
Owen Sound should consider alternatives, such as timed access limits (triggering external alerts after 10-15 minutes) and regular staff check-ins, to deter misuse while prioritizing user safety.
Proven Track Record
The Portland Loo has earned positive reviews across Canadian municipalities. The City of Kamloops has successfully operated these facilities since 2018, while the City of Terrace, BC—a municipality with a population of just 12,020—implemented them in 2024 with positive results.
Moving Forward
The solution chosen by the Council addresses only half of our community’s washroom needs. Affordable options exist to serve both daytime visitors and our most vulnerable residents requiring 24-hour access. The Portland Loo represents just one such option, though it is the most widely adopted among Canadian municipalities.
Council should revisit this issue with complete information about all viable alternatives. Our community deserves a solution that meets the needs of all Owen Sound residents—both housed and unhoused, day and night.
For more information, visit ‘A Solution for Downtown Public Washrooms’ on the RemakeCouncil.com website.
Sincerely,
Jim Hutton
Owen Sound
Letters to the Editor do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of The Owen Sound Current and its editor or publisher.
I just took a minute to re read my comments - To be accurate my intention with my comment Miranda- re “arm chair critic” was originally intended as a reference to myself - as I said “it’s easy to be an arm chair critic”that seems very clear - I do not know Mr Hutton - and-his comments were very interesting and thoughtful .
As for your fast response to my thoughts the descriptor “sensitive “ - was entirely appropriate for male or female editor ( I would have used the very same word for a male editor) some men and women are indeed sensitive to many things -I am by no means a writer - so- of course admonish my statements publicly when warranted .
Respectfully -I am a simply a citizen and - not elected - and a subscriber to your platform .
No harm or offense was intended . l
Just a citizen participating in free speech .
Providing access to a 24 hour “loo” will not alone solve the issue of people having to sleep / roam the streets in the apparent absence of a broader plan to assist the unhoused folks who might want a flush toilet or better yet a warm bed & a toilet this winter .
Initially the idea of this Portland loo is great - maybe in a future budget - if identified for the unhoused specifically- Grey County budget could cover these in OS and the other urban centres in Grey - as we are well aware the unhoused is a county responsibility- you as part of a strategy to provide infrastructure that the unhoused may need / or/ use even.
I give staff and council full marks on this upgrade to the market buildings public washroom and the open hours daily .
It is easy to be an arm chair critic - and- this council provides a great deal of material to be critical of - however - I see this as a beginning - let’s say an acknowledgment that there are actual breathing citizens beyond the meeting rooms at city hall 👍
These citizen opinions affect who we each vote for.
The constant ads for members of the public to serve on city committees emphasizes the lack of interest the public seems to have in this council term- also- only such a low turn out for the public info night is very telling- and- all Council I expect is very concerned by this low level of interest. People are NOT stupid- they know when they are being given “lip service” and they know how to make changes in their community .
I recall many opponents to the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre/ YMCA partnership - at that time- we had been elected to lead - and - lead is what we did. I am confident in saying the “rec centre” was and remains a positive outcome for so many people determined to
Make our community a better place for all- we pulled together and under tremendous circumstances got that job done - for all of the residents .
Does this Council project that message today ?
Improvement to a PUBLIC bathroom is indeed a challenging decision for the current council as they are required to look outward to the very people they serve / not inward and not to let staff lead them .
These wc upgrades will be appreciated by many families , visitors and seniors who may need to use the facilities and of course Saturday morning Farmers Market supporters !
Again- only part of looking outward, identifying issues/ concerns and taking measurable action to address the community’s concerns are being addressed by this Council decision - yet- maybe just maybe a bit of a lighting rod to focus on greater issue(s)
A bit of a rant from a public toilet- but- as I mentioned- easy to be an arm chair critic