B C Employment & Income Asst - Maple Ridge

SLOWEST OFFICE ON THE PLANET

Absolute terrible service , 20 chairs in the waiting room with a security guard , but if there's 5 people inside your forced to stand outside rain snow or sun doesnt matter.

They are trying to kill me

Hey there, I wanted to share my personal story with how my 3 year old daughter was treated at the Maple Ridge BC income assistance office on Sep 12 2017. At around 10:30 am I walked into the Maple Ridge IA office to hand in my stub like I do every month. Instead of dropping it off I always wait in line to talk to the clerk because I also work so I have to delcair the income earned on my stub. So like any other visit my daughter and I looked at the books and chose a few to read while we waited. We waited for about 30 mins. We were next in line to talk to the clerk when my daughter tells me she has to use the washroom. So I panicked and asked out loud "is there a bathroom [my daughter] could use?" I said it loud enough so anyone could hear me. The people waiting looked up as well as the security guard but, with no hesitation the male clerk said "no, the washroom is out of order." The washroom has been out of order for over a year! Ever since i have been going to hand in my stub it has been out of order. There for in essence he was basically stripping my 3 year olds daughter rights to use the bathrbathroom and giving her the only option to pee her pants! At this point I was furious and shocked at the current situation so I asked.. "is there not a staff washroom she could use quickly?" He told me i would have to leave and come back when I had already waited in line and was the very next person. Finally someone agreed to let her use the staff washroom but she had to go alone with a stranger because I wasn't "allowed" to be behind the desk area. Let me explain you this, my daughter can barely get herself on and off the toliet. She also needs help wiping after. I was not comfortable with her using a public washroom with a stranger on her own. So I refused to let her go and if she peed on the floor then that's what's going to happen and there was nothing else I could do.. Finally he let me come to the front desk and let me hand in my stub. I was very annoyed at this point and wanted to finish this process as fast as possible. He continued to give me a hard time. This was not the first time I've had a problem with this male IA clerk. I always feel he is degrading me every time I go in to hand in my stub. For a single mother who has had her fair share of struggles this is apauhling to see happen in Canada. Nobody trying to make ends meet and a better future for their kids should ever have to go through a situation like this.... not here not anywhere! Everyone has a right to pee!

Staff and reception are friendly and williNg to hear out your concern. The security guard like people out 30 mins before it close to ensure the staff can get off work at 4pm. To avoid standing outside, try to be there before 3:30pm. Otherwise the staff might not able to help you.

The lady at the greeter position was so helpful that I can't say enough good things about her. She went way out of her way to solve my dilemma rather than putting me in the neighbourhood of were to look she took me right to whère I needed to be then she resolved what I needed too in probably a less time than it's taken me to write this review. In past I have always been treated fantastic from the Maple Ridge Office.

The Government agents here are very nice. They show patience and compassion.

Due to covid there are limits to how many may enter the building at a time but so long as you are aware and prepared to stand outside in line while you await your turn and dress accordingly for the weather it is not bad. The security and staff are kind, informative and helpful. Have always left with my needs met and my inquiries/questions answered.