The pilot project was announced last month in recognition that not everyone can make it to the Service BC office at 1044 5th Avenue during its Monday to Friday 8:30 to 4:30 hours.

Well duh, how long did it take to figure that out?

Looks like it took a number of years seamutt. Governments have a reputation of moving slower than molasses in January, unless of course it has something to do with Site C, or LNG.

seamutt–I agree. Now Shirley what is needed is to stay open at noon because most working people can only get away at noon. Another question I have for you is why is there no public washroom in this area. I do not know why this is allowed. Having to leave the building to find a washroom is unacceptable. I guess it is nondiscriminatory if you don’t have one at all.

There should be no shutting down for lunch..should be staffed all day long.. And lunch should only be 30min. Hope it’s unpaid like most places as well.

I do think it’s a good idea to have it open on Saturday. This will make it easier on lots of people.

Beware Greeks bearing gifts is an old saying. If staying open on Saturday was because they want to service PG and area customers, then that is a good idea, however since when has service been a big priority of this or any Government???

The reason I think that something may be going on is that I received a call from ICBC on a Sunday a few weeks ago. I was surprised that they were working the week end, however she stated that the claims people do in fact work the week-ends. Soooo. Just good service, on the beginning of a new era of Government services???

It is a good move, and as they say it is a pilot. So likely they have fewer staff by appointment and closed for lunch. Maybe if the people show the service is utilized they staff up for Saturdays and will be open at lunch. Get off your anti-government everything and use the service if you need it. If not, squeeze in during the week, take a number and wait forever because whenever I have been there it is very busy and there is a long wait. No it is not because they are lazy government workers, it is because there are only so many staff and a heck of a lot more people coming in than they can handle. I say good for the Government of BC for at least trying to service the need. Ever tried to see CRA these days? Now there is service. 1-800 and no office open anywhere.

So we pay big taxes for services, but don’t get the service. Hmmmm. Wonder where the money goes.

Health number one, education number two and then social development.

Seriously people, you complain that it took too long to recognize this need, yet when they finally make an effort to expand you criticize them for not expanding enough (or as you expected)… Everybody cannot have their specfic wants/needs met.

…to the writer (oldman1) who complained that no public washroom is available in the building… yes, this may be inconvienient to those who must relieve themselves while in the building, but i can only imagine the backlash if public dollars were funding a community toilet.

How about we stop complaining about specifics and start recognizing when advancements are made in the right direction.

Their are washrooms in the hotel lobby which can be accessed within the building (at least up to 3 years ago).

Over 30 years ago, Alberta had these offices open in shopping malls, 6 days a week. Perhaps we can catch up.

Posted on Saturday, January 9, 2016 @ 10:35 PM by Palopu with a score of 1

So we pay big taxes for services, but don’t get the service. Hmmmm. Wonder where the money goes.

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Wages and benefits. ‘Money for nothing’ is the motto of today’s civil service.

Yes pick a number and wait for a your number to be called and your child and you have to leave the building to go down the sidewalk to use the Ramada washroom around the corner. And what about people with mobility issues. Sometimes your wait times can be quite long. It all sounds so easy doesn’t it. If the government can’t afford a washroom they should not be in business.

I swear, some people can find something to bitch and whine about in any situation.
Here is an expansion to a present service, and all people can do is bitch that it’s not good enough.
Perhaps after it’s been in place for a while it will be enhanced further.
Let’s give it a chance beyond the first freaking Saturday

Here’s another thought, what do you think it took to get this past the BCGEU? After all one of their really nice perks has been not having to work weekends and holidays?

Not working weekends and holidays? Tell that to those working in BC Gov’t liquor stores. Same union, no perk.

Palopu:-“So we pay big taxes for services, but don’t get the service. Hmmmm. Wonder where the money goes. ”
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To the extent we don’t get the service it mostly goes towards payments on money the government has borrowed. Interest on that Provincial debt, you know, the one that never seems to go down. Even when the Budget is said to be ‘balanced’. Under the current set-up, if it DID go down, the amount of the decrease would be money no longer available in the economy. Unless it was made up by new debts incurred by the private sector and consumers. Unfortunately, THOSE debts HAVE to be repaid. Both principal and interest. Governments can always roll-over the principal, paying one loan off by taking on another, so long as they can tax us enough to cover the interest.

just my opinion– This is not about just complaining. The reason I brought up washrooms is because I feel it is important to myself and maybe some of the general public. These are issues I feel should be addressed.