Stop discriminating against Babies.  Make Change Tables mandatory in both gender washrooms in Ontario. Why… Because its 2016!

In January 2015 the Ontario Government amended the Ontario Building Code to require NEWLY BUILT, larger restaurants to have a family washroom with a change table.  However this rule does not apply to current operating restaurants nor new smaller establishments that have both a female and male washroom.

Baby Change tables in all Ontario restaurants or any other business required to have public washrooms should be a right, and not viewed as a courtesy as the Ontario government believes it is.

As a mother of 2, I will admit I was astonished when I realized there was no law in Ontario for current operating restaurants to have mandatory accessible baby change tables.  I was even more perplexed when each time my adoring husband would cop out in his changing the baby responsibility by saying…”sorry, no change table in the men’s washroom”, but surprise surprise, there was “sometimes” one in the women’s washroom.

There will be those who will say… so change your baby on the floor of the washroom, or change your baby in your car. Have I? Yes. Should it be a common practice or accepted behavior within our society? No!

Babies should not be denied the basic right of human dignity.  Although it may be argued that a change table if not a necessity, it is a better, more practical and greater hygienic option than changing your baby on the unhygienic floor of a public washroom with constant foot traffic, or changing your baby in the truck of your car when its -30C outside.

Its 2016, families are diverse. Canada claims to be a world leader in the promotion of gender equality and human rights.  If this is true, then let’s make the change. Let’s make baby change tables mandatory in all Ontario restaurants or any other business required to have public washrooms. Babies deserve dignity and respect too! It’s a hard enough life when you have to wear a diaper 24 hours a day.

Together let’s call on the Ontario Government to be the change. Be a leader in Canada and set the precedence for other provinces. Make baby change tables mandatory under the Ontario Building Code, for all operating restaurants both large and small, both new and old. Families with babies and the babies in Ontario need your support!