When I became editor-in-chief of The Ontarian, the University of Guelph student newspaper way back in 1987, one of the first stories I did was to rate the bathrooms at various local bars.
The paper lost thousands of dollars in advertising from disgruntled bar owners.
We found new advertisers, and the idea is still going strong.
powderroom.ca has launched a national, interactive map that allows Canadians to chart their favourite restrooms across the country, evaluating each one on a five-star system that reflects overall accessibility, cleanliness, lineups, location and decor.
Canada.com reports that although the online map is part of a campaign to promote awareness of overactive bladder, a condition affecting 12 to 18 per cent of Canadians, it’s likely to benefit anyone planning a road trip – especially those accompanied by kids.
A similar effort already has proven successful in Australia where, since 2001, the government-funded National Toilet Map has given folks the loo lowdown on roughly 14,000 private and public bathrooms in the area.
Every bathroom should have running water, soap and toilet paper. If it doesn’t, let someone in charge know.