Howard Moscoe, a Toronto city councilor in Ward 15, Eglinton-Lawrence, has become a one man advocate for public accessibility to toilets in retail stores. Apparently Mr. Moscoe tried to use the facilities in a store and was refused, which became the rallying cry for his crusade. So far he has managed to get the licensing and standards committee that he chairs to adopt a proposal mandating retail stores with more than 3,230 square feet to provide clearly marked and accessible toilets for customers. The motion passed 3-2 with Howard Moscoe, Sandra Bussin and Anthony Perruzza in favour and Mike Del Grande and Denzil Minnan-Wong opposed. Rob Ford was not present for the vote. The plan will go to the next council meeting for debate and approval.

Needless to say the independent grocers, grocery distributors and chain drug stores are not amused. It is their contention that their customers have not been demanding access to public toilets or complaining about the lack thereof. If this plan comes into effect it could cause a logistics nightmare, not to mention place a financial burden on these retailers as they would have to build washrooms specifically for the public.

I am in favour of public toilets. However, I question the wisdom of Mr. Moscoe’s timing. As a city councilor I would imagine that with the volatile economic climate causing a great deal of concern among retailers that Mr. Moscoe would not be promoting measures that could bring financial hardship to them. The only one that seems to have a problem right now is Mr. Moscoe. I suggest that if toilets are his issue that he confines his shopping to big box retailers where there are ample, clearly marked public facilities.