Skip to Main content

5.96°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

May 30, 2023 9:20 PM - The Canadian Press

B.C. housing non-profit at heart of controversy names interim CEO

Share On

b-c-housing-non-profit-at-heart-of-controversy-names-interim-ceo

The housing provider says it's committed to rebuilding trust with the government, forming a task force to undertake a review of policies around real estate and conflicts of interest. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

The Atira Women's Resource Society says it has named a new interim CEO after former head Janice Abbott stepped down amid a conflict-of-interest controversy involving her husband, former BC Housing CEO Shayne Ramsay.

Atira says its new CEO Catherine Roome is an experienced leader in both the public and private sectors and will head the organization until a permanent replacement for Abbott is found.

Atira board chair Elva Kim says recruiting Roome is part of its effort to restore public confidence in the housing provider after Abbott's departure earlier this month.

The housing provider says it's committed to rebuilding trust with the government, forming a task force to undertake a review of policies around real estate and conflicts of interest.

It says it's supportive of an upcoming review by auditing firm KPMG, and has also returned nearly $2 million in funding to the provincial government after an investigation of BC Housing found Ramsay had improperly steered funding to his wife's organization.

Roome says in a news release that she looks forward to working to reset and renew the situation at Atira, and ensure its work to protect women, children and gender diverse people continues.

Latest news

surrey-police-issue-five-excessive-speeding-tickets-in-one-morning-most-in-construction-zones

CanadaJan 08, 2026

Surrey police issue five excessive speeding tickets in one morning, most in construction zones

Surrey Police Service officers issued five excessive speeding tickets during a single morning of enforcement this week, with the majority occurring in active construction zones, according to police. Road Safety Unit officers conducted targeted enforcement on January 7, focusing on areas where road work was underway. Police say four of the five tickets were issued in construction zones, including one case where a driver was allegedly travelling at 102 kilometres per hour in a posted 30 kilometre per hour zone. Police say speeding remains one of the leading causes of serious crashes, and constru

atmospheric-river-expected-to-bring-heavy-rain-snow-and-strong-winds-to-b-c-s-north-coast

Atmospheric river expected to bring heavy rain, snow and strong winds to B.C.’s north coast

An incoming atmospheric river is expected to bring significant rain, snow and high winds to British Columbia’s north coast, prompting multiple weather warnings from Environment Canada. Forecasters say coastal communities including Prince Rupert, Terrace and Kitimat could receive up to 100 millimetres of rain beginning late Thursday and continuing into Saturday morning. The rainfall raises concerns about localized flooding, particularly in low-lying and drainage-prone areas. Inland travel routes are also expected to be affected. Environment Canada warns that sections of major highways could s

rcmp-investigate-early-morning-shooting-in-langley-township

RCMP investigate early-morning shooting in Langley Township

Mounties are investigating a report of shots fired in Langley Township early Thursday, though police say there are no reports of injuries and no ongoing risk to the public. Langley RCMP say officers were called to the area of 232 Street near 69 Avenue shortly after 5 a.m. following multiple reports of gunfire. Police secured the area while investigators worked to gather evidence and speak with potential witnesses. Authorities have not confirmed whether the shooting was targeted, nor whether it may be connected to a recent series of extortion-related incidents reported across parts of Metro Van

IndiaJan 08, 2026

Bomb threats prompt evacuation of court complexes across multiple Indian states

Security agencies were put on high alert Thursday after bomb threats were issued to at least 10 court complexes across several Indian states, including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Authorities evacuated the affected court premises as a precaution while police teams launched extensive searches. In Punjab, district courts in Ferozepur, Moga and Rupnagar received threat messages, according to police sources. Similar threats were also reported at the Himachal Pradesh High Court, triggering concern among court staff, lawyers and litigants. No injuries o

West Shore RCMP recover more than $140,000 in stolen property across Vancouver Island

West Shore RCMP say a focused investigation by their Crime Reduction Unit has led to the recovery of more than $140,000 worth of stolen property linked to multiple communities across Vancouver Island. Police say the investigation began in November 2025 while officers were searching for a 42-year-old man wanted on several outstanding warrants. Officers located and arrested the suspect without incident, recovering a stolen Chevrolet pickup truck and flat deck trailer loaded with construction-related items, including scaffolding, equipment and a 35-ton SpeeCo wood splitter. As the investigation c

Related News

Atmospheric river expected to bring heavy rain, snow and strong winds to B.C.’s north coast

Atmospheric river expected to bring heavy rain, snow and strong winds to B.C.’s north coast

An incoming atmospheric river is expected to bring significant rain, snow and high winds to British Columbia’s north coast, prompting multiple weather warnings from Environment Canada. Forecasters say coastal communities including Prince Rupert, Terrace and Kitimat could receive up to 100 millimetres of rain beginning late Thursday and continuing into Saturday morning. The rainfall raises concerns about localized flooding, particularly in low-lying and drainage-prone areas. Inland travel routes are also expected to be affected. Environment Canada warns that sections of major highways could s

RCMP investigate early-morning shooting in Langley Township

RCMP investigate early-morning shooting in Langley Township

Mounties are investigating a report of shots fired in Langley Township early Thursday, though police say there are no reports of injuries and no ongoing risk to the public. Langley RCMP say officers were called to the area of 232 Street near 69 Avenue shortly after 5 a.m. following multiple reports of gunfire. Police secured the area while investigators worked to gather evidence and speak with potential witnesses. Authorities have not confirmed whether the shooting was targeted, nor whether it may be connected to a recent series of extortion-related incidents reported across parts of Metro Van

West Shore RCMP recover more than $140,000 in stolen property across Vancouver Island

West Shore RCMP recover more than $140,000 in stolen property across Vancouver Island

West Shore RCMP say a focused investigation by their Crime Reduction Unit has led to the recovery of more than $140,000 worth of stolen property linked to multiple communities across Vancouver Island. Police say the investigation began in November 2025 while officers were searching for a 42-year-old man wanted on several outstanding warrants. Officers located and arrested the suspect without incident, recovering a stolen Chevrolet pickup truck and flat deck trailer loaded with construction-related items, including scaffolding, equipment and a 35-ton SpeeCo wood splitter. As the investigation c

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital