Item - 2025.MM28.22
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on March 26 and 27, 2025 with amendments.
MM28.22 - Improving Toronto’s Public Washrooms - by Mayor Olivia Chow, seconded by Councillor Jennifer McKelvie
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on March 26 and 27, 2025, adopted the following:
1. City Council request the City Manager, working with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, the General Manager, Transportation Services, the General Manager, Technology Services, and the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission to conduct an analysis of where new public washrooms are most needed and:
a. install high-quality temporary washrooms at these locations, beginning in the spring of 2025;
b. develop a longer-term plan to add more public washrooms, and retrofit existing ones;
c. identify and repair City washrooms most in need of restoration;
d. identify existing City washrooms that can be retrofitted so they may be open more months of the year;
e. work with the Toronto Transit Commission to explore the installation of new washrooms in subway stations and develop a plan to upgrade and improve existing Toronto Transit Commission washrooms;
f. ensure all new and upgraded washrooms are gender inclusive and accessible to all members of the public, including pursuing the installation of wall-mounted toddler seats in new city washrooms where change tables are installed and the development of a family-friendly washroom standard.
g. work with the Toronto Public Space Committee following the conclusion of their competition “TO the Loo!” design challenge on potential design options;
h. develop a digital wayfinding tool citizens may use to find the nearest city washroom; and
i. report to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee prior to the 2026 Budget cycle on the cost of the initiative.
Background Information (City Council)
Communications (City Council)
(March 25, 2025) E-mail from Sarah Imrisek (MM.New)
(March 25, 2025) E-mail from John Thenganatt (MM.New)
(March 25, 2025) E-mail from Davenport Perth Community Ministry (MM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/mm/comm/communicationfile-188447.pdf
(March 25, 2025) E-mail from Teresa Costes (MM.New)
(March 25, 2025) E-mail from Alice Schuda (MM.New)
(March 25, 2025) E-mail from Patrick Tohill, Crohn's and Colitis Canada (MM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/mm/comm/communicationfile-188463.pdf
(March 25, 2025) E-mail from Janet Patterson (MM.New)
(March 25, 2025) E-mail from Sonia Dyett (MM.New)
(March 25, 2025) E-mail from Jessie Ye (MM.New)
(March 26, 2025) E-mail from George Bell (MM.New)
(March 26, 2025) E-mail from Nicole Corrado (MM.New)
(March 26, 2025) E-mail from Melanie Santarossa (MM.New)
(March 25, 2025) E-mail from Raphaella Valeri (MM.New)
(March 26, 2025) E-mail from Annette Mangaard (MM.New)
(March 26, 2025) E-mail from Tara Schorr (MM.New)
(March 25, 2025) Letter from Cara Chellew, Organizer, Toronto Public Space Committee (MM.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/mm/comm/communicationfile-188694.pdf
Motions (City Council)
Speaker Nunziata advised Council that the provisions of Chapter 27, Council Procedures, require that Motion MM28.22 be referred to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee. A two-thirds vote of the Council Members present is required to waive referral.
REVISED
That City Council amend Recommendation 1.f. by adding a new Part 1.j., so that it now reads as follows:
1. City Council request the City Manager, working with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, the General Manager, Transportation Services, the Chief Technology Officer and the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission, to conduct an analysis of where new public washrooms are most needed and:
f. ensure all new and upgraded washrooms are accessible to all members of the public, including pursuing the installation of wall-mounted toddler seats in new city washrooms where change tables are installed and the development of a family-friendly washroom standard.
j. install wall-mounted toddler seats in new city washrooms where change tables are installed and create a family-friendly washroom standard to be implemented in all new and retrofitted washrooms.
That City Council amend Recommendation 1.f. by adding the words "gender inclusive and" after the words "washrooms are" so that it now reads as follows:
1. City Council request the City Manager, working with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, the General Manager, Transportation Services, the Chief Technology Officer and the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Transit Commission, to conduct an analysis of where new public washrooms are most needed and:
f. ensure all new and upgraded washrooms are gender inclusive and accessible to all members of the public.