Dear Editor,

I am a client of the ministry, on disability. I, myself, have come in contact with the problem of no public washrooms at the Maple Ridge income assistance office [Sather asks for toilets, May 22, TIMES].

Back in 2009, I was called in to an appointment with a worker.

At the time, I was six months pregnant and had been sitting, waiting for a few hours. After my appointment, I asked the worker to use the washroom, as I really needed to use it, explaining to her that I was clearly pregnant.

She told me there was no longer a public toilet for ministry clients, because there had been too much drug use in the washroom, and ministry staff could no longer keep up the washroom.

I asked her if I could use the staff washroom, and she told me to walk down the street to Dairy Queen and use their washroom.

It was extremely unacceptable, but that was my choice.

I called and lodged a complaint with the regional office, but I see it went unheard.

I am not a drug user, nor am I causing any problems in ministry offices, but if the ministry calls someone in for an appointment, six months pregnant, staff should have the decency to allow use of a washroom!

Tara C., Maple Ridge