In order to better serve Ladysmith constituents, Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Paul Manly will set up a one-day office in Ladysmith on the third Friday of every month, beginning March 20.
The monthly constituency office will be held at the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. There will be three staff members on-site, and Manly will be there when he is in the riding.
Manly only has one constituency office in the riding, on Dunsmuir street in Nanaimo. The lack of a Ladysmith office has left Ladysmith residents with the options of either calling in for help with their federal services issues, or making the drive to Nanaimo.
Federal services advocate, Nadine Wiepning said that constituents have often already been on the phone with the Canada Revenue Agency, Immigration Services or other federal agencies, and are better served in person.
“A lot of people need to talk to a live person. They’re just tired of being on the phone,” Wiepning said. “Coming in, sitting, and talking with a person to receive clarification on what the next steps should be helps people calm down and feel better about their situation.”
Sometimes issues are relatively simple to solve, and sometimes the office is unable to help. Wiepning has a direct line to government agencies to advocate on behalf on Nanaimo-Ladysmith constituents.
“I think if people who live in Ladysmith see we’re available they’ll make a note of it, and come see us in person the day that we’re there. We want to have Paul and our services be accessible to people in Ladysmith as well,” Wiepning said.