Faubourg Saint-Laurent publishes its plea "Toilets for everyone: a fundamental right".
Finding a public toilet may seem trivial, but for many, it's a daily challenge. In Montreal, particularly downtown, this lack of accessibility affects everyone, but hits marginalized people even harder. Without access to private spaces, they suffer stigmatization and exclusion, which contributes to heightened tensions in urban spaces, as well as dehumanizing fellow citizens.
On November 19, World Toilet Day, the Table de concertation du Faubourg Saint-Laurent launched the plea " Toilets for everyone: a fundamental right ". This initiative is part of their PIC initiative to improve social cohesion in the neighborhood.
"Des toilettes pour toutes et tous : un droit fondamental" is a formal appeal addressed to the Ville-Marie borough, with the aim of improving access to accessible, healthy and safe toilets in the Faubourg Saint-Laurent, taking into account the needs of vulnerable people. Based on 72 testimonials gathered from people living on the margins of society, this plea explains the urgent need for action and proposes 13 concrete recommendations, divided into two axes, to make these facilities accessible to all.
"Access to toilets in the faubourg Saint-Laurent is much more than an urban convenience, it's a fundamental issue related to human dignity, social inclusion and public health." - Toilets for everyone: a fundamental right, p 41
The publication of this report marks an important milestone for dignity and inclusion in the Faubourg Saint-Laurent. To continue raising awareness and encouraging action, the Table de concertation is planning activities to share the document over the coming months. Among these initiatives, a winter walk is planned for early 2026 to rally the community around this essential issue. To find out more, follow the Table's Facebook page so you don't miss a thing!
We congratulate all the partners involved and hope that this will inspire decision-makers to act swiftly for the dignity of all.