Inclusive Washroom and Change Room Policy

The City of Regina is committed to providing inclusive washrooms and change rooms in public facilities.

Our Inclusive Washroom and Change Room Policy supports the rights of all visitors to use the washroom and change room facilities that make them feel safest and/or best correspond with their gender identity.

In 2023, the City conducted public engagement to better understand the City’s role in making our communities safer and more inclusive for 2SLGBTQIAP+ residents. An Inclusive Washroom and Change Room Policy was identified as an action that would help 2SLGBTQIAP+ community members feel safer in City facilities.

This policy formalizes and reaffirms the City’s longstanding practice, and aligns with the City’s commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this policy needed?

• This policy supports the safe use of City facilities by all Regina residents. It reaffirms the City’s commitment to inclusion and safety, and to provincial human rights legislation.

 

How long has this policy been in place?

• The practice of allowing residents to use the facility they feel safest in or aligns with their gender identity has been in place in City facilities for several years.
• Since 2014, discrimination on the basis of gender identity has been prohibited by the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.
• This policy formalizes and reaffirms the City’s longstanding practice and has been in place since May 2024.

 

Who was engaged in the development of this policy?

• In 2023, the City conducted public engagement to better understand the City’s role in making our communities safer and more inclusive for 2SLGBTQIAP+ residents. Engagement included both 2SLGBTQIAP+ and non-2SLGBTQIAP+ community members.
• An Inclusive Washroom and Change Room Policy was identified as an action that would help 2SLGBTQIAP+ community members feel safer in City facilities.

 

How does this policy align with other cities?

• Many other cities across Canada have similar inclusive washroom and change room policies. Several of these Cities were consulted in the development of the City of Regina’s policy.

 

Is the City also creating more all-gender washrooms and change rooms?

• As we build new facilities and renovate existing ones, we are working to build more single-stall washrooms and change rooms to prioritize privacy, accessibility and inclusion.

 

How much is this going to cost?

• The only related cost is for signage on washroom and change room doors. These costs are covered by a federal accessibility grant, which is funding upgraded signage and wayfinding in City facilities. Gendered (men’s and women’s) signage will remain on gendered washrooms. Additional messaging will be added to support this policy.

 

What if someone is in the change room who I don’t think should be there?

• The City supports the rights of all visitors and employees to use the washroom or change room that makes them feel safest and/or best corresponds with their gender identity.
• According to human rights legislation, no one has the right to say which washroom or change room another person can use.
• If you are uncomfortable, you have the option to use a private stall within the gendered washroom or a single-stall/all-gender washroom if available.
• If someone is behaving disrespectfully or threatening the safety of someone else, this behaviour should be reported to facility staff for follow-up and investigation. (Simply using a change room does not qualify as disrespectful behaviour.)

 

Why should I have to use a private stall or single-stall washroom or change room if I’m uncomfortable? Why can’t the other person use a different washroom or change room?

• No one has the right to say which washroom or change room another person can use. You should use the washroom or change room that you feel safest in or that best corresponds with your gender identity.
• This policy supports the safety and dignity of people who have previously felt excluded and unsafe in our facilities, such as gender-diverse people and people with disabilities.

 

Is the City making all washrooms and change rooms all-gender? Are you taking away safe spaces from women?

• This policy supports the rights of all visitors and employees to use the washroom or change room that makes them feel safest and/or best corresponds with their gender identity.
• Gendered (men or women) change rooms and washrooms will remain in most City facilities.
• Separately from this policy, we are working on building more single-stall, all-gender washrooms and change rooms as we build new buildings or renovate existing ones. Single-stall, all-gender washrooms and change rooms are designed for use by one person or one family at a time. This approach will improve privacy, safety and inclusion for everyone.

 

Are there age limits for children using the men’s or women’s change room?

• The City does not require children over a certain age to use a specific change room.
• Families and caregivers can choose which washroom or change room they use according to their specific needs, abilities, gender identities and/or comfort levels.
• If you are uncomfortable, you have the option to use a private stall within the gendered washroom ora single-stall/all-gender washroom if available.

 

What if someone pretends to be transgender or disabled in order to access certain change rooms?

• Individuals are responsible for maintaining respectful behaviour when in change rooms, and any violation of this will be taken very seriously.
• We should not make assumptions about another person’s gender identity or abilities.
• If someone is behaving disrespectfully or threatening the safety of someone else, this behaviour should be reported to facility staff for follow-up and investigation. (Simply using a change room does not qualify as disrespectful behaviour.)