The provincial government will not be providing portable toilets for people living in tents near Colonial Building.

The City of St. John’s have closed the bathrooms in Bannerman Park until further notice, citing vandalism and damage to the plumbing and hardware.

Provincial Transportation and Infrastructure Minister John Abbott says it is on the city to provide portable toilets if the bathroom is closed if they feel that is appropriate, despite tent city being on provincially controlled land.

He says the province’s focus is on finding the housing and supports the tent city residents need, but if the city is changing access to a public facility, that is for them to respond to.

NDP Leader Jim Dinn says while the city is being lambasted, he puts the blame on the provincial government. Dinn says access to bathroom facilities is a human right and government should be doing something.

He says if it’s a security issue, government should provide the city with sufficient resources to enable the bathrooms to be open since they have done nothing up to this point to help the people in the encampment.

Mayor Breen Responds

St. John’s Mayor Danny Breen is disappointed that the province has said no to establishing port-a-potties in Bannerman Park for the use of those living in a tent encampment near the site.

The city says vandalism and other public safety issues have forced them to close the washrooms at Bannerman Park until further notice.

The city says misuse and vandalism have caused damage to plumbing and hardware. That includes needles and garbage being flushed in toilets, and human waste on the floor.

Toilets have been dislodged and soap dispensers have been removed or damaged.

St. John’s Mayor Danny Breen says the city is aware that bathroom facilities are important for residents of the nearby encampment, but the current condition of the facilities pose a significant health and safety issue for residents, visitors and staff.

The city pushed the provincial government to put portable toilets on site, but that won’t be happening.

He told reporters today they thought that turning to the province would be a solution, but they said no. In the meantime, discussions are ongoing on finding a solution to the issue.

The city says they can’t put portable toilets on the Colonial Building grounds since it’s provincial government property, but as for why the city can’t put toilets on nearby city property, Breen says the city is still trying to find a solution with the help of the province.

He says the city has bathrooms on site and that wasn’t a solution. “We’re not ready for that yet” Breen said in response to the city setting up its own toilets, saying that they’re working with the province on a solution.