Whereas the BC Public Health Act Regulations include Regulated Activity Regulation 1612011, which addresses public sanitary facilities and toilets, and these regulations have been put in place to ensure public places contain, and the public has access to, adequate sanitary facilities; And whereas more and more public toilets are being shut indefinitely, if not permanently, for many reasons including vandalism, drug use, and cost of maintenance; And whereas in many areas, there are no longer public toilets available, and the current Act no longer results in access in many places: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the provincial government review the Public Health Act in consultation with residents, businesses, local governments, and health authorities, to find viable solutions to ensure public toilets are available and accessible in communities across BC to improve access for those traveling through communities, as well as visitors to and residents of communities.
Ministry of Health The Regulated Activities Regulation, under the Public Health Act, requires an operator of a public place to ensure that the public place provides access to adequate sanitary facilities. The regulation also provides exemptions to the requirement for neighbourhood parks, school grounds, or refreshment stands. In BC, the Community Charter grants local governments flexible authority to exercise regulatory powers and enables local governments to act at their discretion to provide services that meet the needs of their communities, such as public sanitary facilities in the exempted spaces. The Public Health Act and Regulated Activities Regulation work to ensure public places provide access to adequate public washrooms and prohibits operators from charging any fee for the use of toilets. The province remains committed to ensuring that this regulatory approach supports health, safety, and accessibility across public spaces.