Our Purpose

We advocate for a network of free, safe, clean, accessible public toilets and drinking fountains in Canada’s “National Capital Region” – in and around Ottawa, Ontario.

Human Rights – Without easy access to public toilets and drinking fountains, many people cannot use transit, visit our parks, or participate in public life.

What few public toilets still exist in the Ottawa region, are often hard to find, unavailable “after hours”, or even permanently closed. Increasingly, new public works, from parks to transit, do not include any toilets at all.

Across the region, transit system, sports fields, and public parks – and in downtown bars, restaurants, and tourist destinations – people, young and old, are urinating (and defecating) behind bushes, in corners, in lane ways, and sometimes (especially “after hours”) even right in the open.

The current situation is unacceptable in a capital city.

Access to public toilets is a public health issue, a disability issue, a tourism issue, and a key to sustainable cities.

Our work

Our activities include informing the public (see our Toilet Finder), raising public awareness, lobbying, advocacy, research, pilot projects, and events.

Our lobbying efforts have centered on the City of Ottawa, the National Capital Commission, Ottawa Tourism, and business associations.

In our advocacy efforts, we have worked with local community groups, disability associations (such as Crohn’s and Colitis Canada), and homeless shelters, among other groups.

GottaGo! (full name: GottaGo! Campaign) is located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. GottaGo! was initiated by a group of concerned citizens who took part in the Citizen’s Academy program in the fall of 2013. Since then, GottaGo! has a small core team and a growing list of active supporters.