When it comes to statistics on unequal access to hygiene in Toronto, specific local data can be hard to come by. However, broader Canadian studies offer valuable insights that reflect the challenges faced in our city. One significant issue is period poverty, which refers to the lack of access to menstrual products and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education. A 2022 study by Plan International Canada revealed that 21% of people who menstruate in Canada struggle to access menstrual products. This is largely due to financial burdens, a problem exacerbated by recent inflation. The study also found that a quarter of the surveyed population extended the use of menstrual products beyond recommended times due to these financial constraints. While the issue is even more profound in rural communities across Canada due to higher transportation costs for products (Craggs, 2018; United Way British Columbia, 2021), the challenges highlighted in these national studies resonate deeply within Toronto’s diverse communities.
Beyond period poverty, the broader implications of hygiene inequality are stark, particularly for Toronto’s most vulnerable. For those experiencing homelessness, access to basic hygiene is a daily struggle with severe consequences. Toronto Public Health data from 2024 reveals a distressing statistic: the median age of death for women experiencing homelessness in Toronto has plummeted to just 36 years, a sharp decline from 42 years in recent years, and drastically lower than the 78–85-year median for the general Toronto population. This tragic reality underscores the profound health impacts of precarious living conditions, where poor hygiene is a major contributing factor to overall health deterioration and susceptibility to illness. The proliferation of homeless encampments across the city, mirroring a national trend, further highlights this gap, with only 20% of surveyed communities in a 2022 study consistently offering essential hygiene services like potable water and sanitation to encampment residents.
Furthermore, basic public infrastructure for hygiene is diminishing. Toronto has seen a steady decline in public washroom availability over the past four decades, with many remaining closed seasonally, particularly during winter months. This forces reliance on private establishments, where access is often conditional on purchase, creating significant barriers for those with limited financial means. Even for those with stable housing, disparities persist. For instance, the City of Toronto’s “T.O. Health Check” report (2019) indicated that the rate of suspected dental caries for children from schools in the lowest income areas is more than double that for children from schools in the highest income areas (19% vs. 8%), pointing to unequal access to essential oral hygiene and care. Compounding this, a 2014 study (Ahmad and Quiñonez JCDA 2014) found that a dentist is 2.47 times more likely to be practicing in a high-income area of Toronto than a low-income one, further entrenching hygiene inequalities.
The statistics paint a sobering picture: from the struggles of period poverty and the alarming mortality rates among homeless individuals to the dwindling access to public washrooms and significant oral health disparities, hygiene inequality is a pervasive and multifaceted issue in Toronto. These aren’t just isolated problems; they’re interconnected challenges that undermine the health, dignity, and opportunities of our most vulnerable residents. Addressing these systemic gaps isn’t just about providing soap and water; it’s about fostering a more equitable and compassionate city where everyone has the fundamental right to cleanliness and the chance to thrive.
References:
Fred Victor. (2025). Women’s Homelessness in Canada – Causes. Challenges. Solutions. https://www.fredvictor.org/2025/03/05/womens-homelessness/
Canada.ca. (2023). Findings from the 2022 National Survey on Homeless Encampments. https://housing-infrastructure.canada.ca/homelessness-sans-abri/reports-rapports/encampments-survey-2022-enquete-campements-eng.html
David Simor. (2025). Tackling Toronto’s Washroom Problem: The TO the Loo! Toronto Toilet Design Challenge. https://spacing.ca/toronto/2025/03/14/tackling-torontos-washroom-problem-the-to-the-loo-toronto-toilet-design-challenge/
City of Toronto. (n.d.). Park & Recreation Washrooms & Drinking Water. https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/parks-recreation/places-spaces/washrooms-drinking-water-in-parks-recreational-facilities/#location=&lat=43.624147&lng=-79.151001&zoom=10
City of Toronto. (2019). T.O. Health Check: An Overview of Toronto’s Population Health Status. https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/data-research-maps/research-reports/public-health-significant-reports/health-surveillance-and-epidemiology-reports/toronto-health-status-report/
A Ahmad and C Quiñonez (2014). Disparities in the Availability of Dental Care in Metropolitan Toronto. J Can Dent Assoc;80:e3. https://jcda.ca/article/e3
Health Through Hygiene 