Today I want to use my Member’s statement to encourage the Minister responsible for coordinating initiatives related to homelessness to support this very important initiative. I first raised the topic of public washrooms last week. Since then I’ve learned that I have support and recognition of this problem from many of my colleagues. I also have the support of many businesses that have spoken out on this issue, and certainly a number of residents who feel it is a serious issue that needs serious measures to deal with. So I recognize that, Mr. Speaker, and I certainly hope there will be a Minister who recognizes that too.
Yellowknife needs public toilets in our downtown. Nobody expects that this alone will completely solve all our problems when it comes to urination, defecation in the downtown public areas. However, the installation of public toilets can be undertaken relatively quickly and certainly will achieve results. We need to link this to improvements to our housing, treatment for mental illness and addiction to drugs, and this would lead to all types of long erm solutions.
I’ve taken a quick look at what other cities across Canada have done. This is a standard challenge facing many urban communities in our country regarding the significant homeless population. Worth noting, Mr. Speaker, even in the city of Yellowknife, the library downtown has had to take steps because they can no longer offer their washrooms — it’s just public washrooms — because it’s caused significant problems, and they continue to lose their contractors because of it.
Often municipal governments are asked to take a partnership role but certainly not the lead role, because that belongs to the senior government — in this case our Health Minister, our Minister for the homeless, but certainly the territorial government. However, many Canadian cities have been able to access additional funding sources from that senior government and use partnerships through businesses and NGOs. Many municipalities have purchased special purpose self-contained cleaning units for public washrooms. There are several kinds of standard units readily available out there, and they range, starting at approximately $50,000. Some communities are able to hose those lanes and doorsteps down all year long. But that certainly is not the case here in Yellowknife, and that’s why we need a self-contained unit, so people can go on the coldest days and use the washroom.
At this time may I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement?
Unanimous consent granted.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, it is a significant issue, and many cities are working hard on this. I want to compliment cities like Winnipeg. It is a winter city, and they are trying to deal with this problem. I have even read that they have had architects come forward offering free service to design a public washroom to help deal with this problem.
Mr. Speaker, I’m going to close by stressing that access to public washrooms is also a health issue. If the Minister has never heard of infectious disease, then let me be the first to tell her about it. There are certainly her officials who can remind her about what problems this can lead to. This is very important to our community. It is very important to the growth of our community. It’s certainly important to the health of our community.
Later today I will be asking questions to the Minister responsible for the homeless, who hopefully will understand the significance of this file.
Thank you, Mr. Hawkins. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
