Who Own The Seat is calling on you to help change how government handles public seats.

Why this matters

• Public seating — in parks, transit hubs, community centres and public buildings — is a basic civic asset that affects accessibility, dignity and inclusion.

• Decisions about siting, design, long-term maintenance and use policies are currently made without consistent public input, clear accountability or transparent funding plans.

• When seats are neglected, inaccessible, removed without notice, or designed to exclude certain people, it harms seniors, parents with small children, people with disabilities and anyone who needs a moment to rest.

What we are asking for

• Public consultations before major changes: require meaningful, well-publicised consultations with communities affected by seat removal, redesign or reallocation.

• Accessibility-first standards: ensure all new and renovated seating meets universal design principles so people with mobility, sensory or cognitive differences can use them comfortably.

• Transparent funding and maintenance plans: mandate publicly available budgets and maintenance schedules for seating in public spaces, with clear lines of responsibility.

• Community oversight and reporting: establish citizen oversight panels and straightforward channels for reporting neglected or unsafe seating, with guaranteed response timelines.

• Equity impact assessments: require assessments that identify which groups are most affected by seating changes and propose mitigations before decisions are final.

How you can help

• Sign and share our petition calling for these reforms.

• Attend or organise local consultations and public meetings to voice the need for better seating policies.

• Report local issues: document neglected, inaccessible or exclusionary seating and submit concise, dated reports to your municipal office and our campaign.

• Contact your elected officials: ask for commitments to adopt the five policy changes above. Provide specific examples from your neighbourhood.

• Support research and pilot projects that test inclusive seating designs and maintenance models.

What we will deliver

• A clear, evidence-based policy brief for municipal and provincial governments outlining the five reforms.

• A set of community consultation guidelines and sample survey tools to ensure input is accessible to all.

• A template letter and contact list for citizens to use when reaching out to elected officials.

• A reporting tool to track seating issues and government responses.

Join us Your voice matters. Together we can make public seating a reliable, inclusive and accountable public good — not an afterthought. Contact Who Own The Seat to get involved, find resources for your area, or request support organising a community meeting.

Who Own The Seat is calling on you to help change how government handles public seats.

Why this matters

• Public seating — in parks, transit hubs, community centres and public buildings — is a basic civic asset that affects accessibility, dignity and inclusion.

• Decisions about siting, design, long-term maintenance and use policies are currently made without consistent public input, clear accountability or transparent funding plans.

• When seats are neglected, inaccessible, removed without notice, or designed to exclude certain people, it harms seniors, parents with small children, people with disabilities and anyone who needs a moment to rest.

What we are asking for

• Public consultations before major changes: require meaningful, well-publicised consultations with communities affected by seat removal, redesign or reallocation.

• Accessibility-first standards: ensure all new and renovated seating meets universal design principles so people with mobility, sensory or cognitive differences can use them comfortably.

• Transparent funding and maintenance plans: mandate publicly available budgets and maintenance schedules for seating in public spaces, with clear lines of responsibility.

• Community oversight and reporting: establish citizen oversight panels and straightforward channels for reporting neglected or unsafe seating, with guaranteed response timelines.

• Equity impact assessments: require assessments that identify which groups are most affected by seating changes and propose mitigations before decisions are final.

How you can help

• Sign and share our petition calling for these reforms.

• Attend or organise local consultations and public meetings to voice the need for better seating policies.

• Report local issues: document neglected, inaccessible or exclusionary seating and submit concise, dated reports to your municipal office and our campaign.

• Contact your elected officials: ask for commitments to adopt the five policy changes above. Provide specific examples from your neighbourhood.

• Support research and pilot projects that test inclusive seating designs and maintenance models.

What we will deliver

• A clear, evidence-based policy brief for municipal and provincial governments outlining the five reforms.

• A set of community consultation guidelines and sample survey tools to ensure input is accessible to all.

• A template letter and contact list for citizens to use when reaching out to elected officials.

• A reporting tool to track seating issues and government responses.

Join us Your voice matters. Together we can make public seating a reliable, inclusive and accountable public good — not an afterthought. Contact Who Own The Seat to get involved, find resources for your area, or request support organising a community meeting.