‘All Progress is good progress’ says Rally Around Homelessness volunteer on Victoria public washroom

People in downtown Regina will now have an extra place to go when nature calls.

The city has placed a portable washroom in Victoria Park.

The action was taken after the city received criticism for removing two portable washrooms in Pepsi Park last weekend.

Wednesday, city Manager Niki Anderson said the washrooms were removed because the city wasn’t properly consulted before, however she also acknowledged the lack of all-hour public washrooms in downtown.

The portable washrooms were placed and paid for by the group Rally Around Homelessness (RAH)

Volunteer Alysia Johnson said she had concerns with the application process.

“The application is written in a way that really speaks to hosting an event and this isn’t a request for a party in the park, this was done on the basis of public health and on the basis of Charter rights and human rights,” she said.

Johnson also expressed frustration about a public washroom pilot project that was proposed by the city in 2019 but ultimately fell through.

The portable washrooms in Pepsi Park were located in the same place as the former Camp Hope site, where Johnson also volunteered.

“Homelessness is certainly growing and homelessness is expanding and the health impacts and the public health impacts are really bearing down on the community,” Johnson said.

Johnson thinks the city is moving in the right direction with the installation of the portable washroom in Victoria Park.

“It’s certainly fantastic that they’re doing it and I do not for a moment want to take away from that,” she said.

“I think that all progress is good progress, but it is just a start.”

Johnson said its absolutely vital to take care of some of the city’s most vulnerable, some of whom are dealing with issues like urinary tract infections as well as bladder and bowel issues or any other afflictions.

“They are in pain and they are crying out for help from their community,” Johnson said. “We can’t look away and we can’t turn a blind eye.”