Joan Kuyek, the GottaGo! campaigner pushing to bring more public toilets to downtown Ottawa, was among 21 finalists for this year’s Everyday Political Citizen Awards, a national program aimed at promoting civic activism.
Rick Mercer, the comedian and CBC personality announced three winners of the awards, sponsored by Samara Canada, on Dec. 3. Kuyek wasn’t given the title in the over-30 age category, but her shortlisting is just the latest recognition for the washroom activist and Carleton University instructor in community work.
Samara is “dedicated to reconnecting citizens to politics,” according to its website. “Established as a charity in 2009, we have become Canada’s most trusted, non-partisan champion of increased civic engagement and a more positive public life.”
Kuyek’s GottaGo! campaign is focused on getting toilets in public spaces in Ottawa. McNabb and Dundonald parks in Centretown have been key targets of the group’s efforts so far.
The GottaGo! Campaign wants to create a network of safe, free clean and environmentally responsible public toilets and water fountains that are accessible to persons of all abilities in parks, major transit stops and key public places, according to its website.
Samara’s Award celebrates positive role models and builds a culture of positive politics in Canada, it says.
“The award is designed to highlight the diversity of Canadians who are getting involved in politics in non-traditional ways,” says Colum Grove-White, a member of Ottawa123. “These are normal people participating in political activities.”
Grove-White is one of the 19 jurors who helped create the shortlist for the award. Ottawa123 is a non-partisan group working towards attaining electoral reform in Ottawa municipal elections. They would like to see ranked choice voting in future local elections.
“You don’t have to be elected to participate in politics,” says Grove-White. “The goal is to have people like Joan step up and be an active role model.”
Steve Ladurantaye was the person who nominated Kuyek for the Everyday Political Citizen Award. In his nomination he had this to say about Joan.
“It says a lot about someone when they decide that they can achieve greater results by immersing themselves deeply and enthusiastically in their community, and she has certainly done this,” says Ladurantaye.
The GottaGo! campaign is not Kuyek’s first foray into political activism. She first got involved in trying to engineer change when she lobbied against the Kingston City Council in the 1960’s.
“I’ve been a community organizer and an activist all my life. It’s a way of life and a vocation. I’ve worked with a lot of wonderful people” says Kuyek.
While Kuyek is the only member of the GottaGo! campaign nominated for the Everyday Political Citizen Award, she believes everyone involved deserves to be recognized.
“You don’t do anything by yourself,” she says “Change comes because people come together and then you get stuff done because you’re able to organize people. Nothing would happen without other people.”
This group mentality she says has enabled Kuyek to be so successful in her six decades of activism. She says recognition such as the Everyday Political Citizen Award is great, but she insists just doing her duty as a citizen in a free democratic country.
“No matter what country it is democracy is up to the citizens who live there,” she says. They need to exercise their democratic right. It’s up to us to require the government to provide what we need.”
Grove-White agrees
“There are countries around the world where it is not possible” to push governments to make reform he says. “So it’s important to highlight those in Canada who are taking advantage of that.”
Kuyek was very humble about her chances of winning the Everyday Political Citizen Award.
“There are a 20 other people on the shortlist who are doing great work, and it will probably be one of them who wins the award,’ she says.
In spite of her humility, she says it was “kind of embarrassing to be singled out for an award.”