Who Knew?

Today, I heard an interesting blip on the radio (CBC, naturally!). I say "blip" because I was only in my car for a few minutes. The show was about public spaces and the move towards a green economy. Using public spaces, including public transportation, puts us all on what was referred to as a "bladder leash," some of which are shorter than others. The gist of the comments was this: if we're going to take public transportation and enjoy the green spaces in our cities, then we need an efficient and reliable system of public . . . facilities. Public washrooms. Johnny-on-the-Spot. If our "bladder leash" is short--if we're young, old, pregnant, infirm, sick, or in any other condition that might shorten that leash--we need to know that we'll be able to find the needed facilities at the moment of need.

For men, this may pose less of a problem for them, but it poses just as much of a problem from the sanitation point of view. Yes, they can duck into an alley (and many of us have seen this happen), but what about that alley??? What about the people who live next to the alley or in the apartments above the alley? So fixing one problem has created another.

On the radio show, I learned about the WTO, the World Toilet Organization (not to be confused with the WTO, World Trade Organization). This group, which had humble beginnings of 15 members in 2001, now operates in 56 countries and boasts 195 member organizations. Many governmental departments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), prominent people, and ordinary citizens join as members. That's their logo at the left. Their goal: to improve access to basic sanitation for the 2.5 billion people who have never had the chance to sit on the "throne." You can read their full declaration on their web site at: www.worldtoilet.org

The discussion today was not about the millions of children and adults who die each year because of diseases rampant in areas which lack basic sanitation, but about creating a network of public washrooms in our modern cities. It seems city planners don't want to mention the unmentionable. We all know the uncomfortable feeling when we enter a commercial establishment looking for a bathroom, only to be confronted by a sign above the counter that reads: Our washrooms are for our customers. I myself have on occasion become a customer by buying something that I didn't need or want just so that I could use the facilities.

Of course, the idea of public washrooms is not new. I was reminded about a public washroom that the Women's Institute set up in our city in the 1950s. Many rural people would come to town and for the mothers of young children, or nursing mothers, or other mothers, and anyone else who rode over those bumpy roads, a "rest room" was deemed necessary and useful. The local Women's Institutes worked on the problem, and established a public rest room where local travelers could use the facilities. It was a stroke of genius, much appreciated by the families who lived in the area at that time.

Some of the women who were involved in that project are still around. They proudly remember that contribution to the growth and comfort of our city. They could tell you all the details--I've only sketched the picture here. It was a good work. Perhaps we need that kind of determination and drive again.

Half-mast

Municipal taxes are due July 2. On Tuesday, before the holiday, I stopped by the government building to pay my taxes, but the line-up was out the door, with about 50 people who had the same idea as I did. So I made a new plan: I'd go Thursday morning before work, arriving before 8:30 a.m. when the government offices opened so I could be first in line.

While I was waiting for the doors to be unlocked, a worker approached the three flag poles that are in front of the government building and lowered the three flags to half-mast. This is used internationally as a sign of mourning. Someone important must have died.

I asked the worker, Why are you lowering the flags to half-mast? Who died?

His answer surprised me, but perhaps it shouldn't have. It just presented such a stereotype of "the government worker." He said: I don't know. I was just told to lower the flags.

If my supervisor had given me such instructions, my innate curiosity would have led me to at least ask in whose honour the flags were being lowered. If not my curiosity, then the thought that perhaps someone might ask me and I'd want to be able to answer correctly.

During the day, I asked several people with whom I work and others that I saw at a meeting if they knew. No one knew. So maybe I shouldn't fault the poor government worker for not knowing (although I still think he should have known!!) I tried to catch the radio newscasts for a clue, but came up with nothing.

Finally, tonight, a simple Internet search gave me the information I sought. The Right Honourable Roméo LeBlanc (1927-2009), Governor-General of Canada from 1995-1999, died on June 24, 2009. It was in his honour that the flags were lowered to half-mast after flying at full-mast for the Canada Day holiday.

His funeral is on July 3, after which the flags will be returned to full-mast.