Skip to Main content

8.73°^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

premier-eby-tours-progress-at-the-new-surrey-hospital-and-bc-cancer-centre-construction-site

Premier Eby tours progress at the new Surrey hospital and BC Cancer Centre construction site

Premier David Eby was in Surrey today. At around 10 a.m., he toured the new Surrey Hospital and BC Cancer Centre, being built near 180 Street and James Hill Drive in Surrey. He held technical discussions with trades team and the hospital representatives regarding construction works and the hospital. Speaking to the media after the visit, Premier said “the last time I came to this place, this seemed like a big hole in the ground, and today the construction work of the hospital is progressing in the right direction.” The Premier, while explaining the information gathered from the sites duri

leblanc-to-meet-u-s-trade-representative-in-washington-ahead-of-cusma-review

CanadaMar 06, 2026

LeBlanc to meet U.S. trade representative in Washington ahead of CUSMA review

Canada’s Minister of Canada–U.S. Trade Dominic LeBlanc is scheduled to meet with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington today as both countries prepare for a mandatory review of the continental trade agreement known as Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement. LeBlanc’s office said the meeting will focus on the upcoming review of the pact, commonly called CUSMA, as well as other bilateral trade issues between Canada and the United States. The agreement, which also includes Mexico, requires a joint review by member countries to determine whether the deal will continue or

b-c-legislature-passes-trade-recognition-act-allowing-goods-sold-in-canada-to-be-sold-in-province

B.C. legislature passes Trade Recognition Act allowing goods sold in Canada to be sold in province

The British Columbia legislature has passed Bill 5, the Trade Recognition Act, with support from all parties, a move the provincial government says will reduce interprovincial trade barriers and expand market access for businesses. The legislation allows goods and services that are legally sold in another Canadian province or territory to be sold in British Columbia without requiring duplicate provincial certification, according to the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. Jobs and Economic Growth Minister Ravi Kahlon said the measure builds on previous efforts to streamline i

coroner-says-b-c-teen-drowned-after-dingo-attack-on-australian-island

Coroner says B.C. teen drowned after dingo attack on Australian island

An Australian coroner says a 19-year-old woman from British Columbia drowned after being attacked by a pack of dingoes during an early morning walk on an island off Queensland. Piper James was on a backpacking trip and had been working on K'Gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, when she died on Jan. 19. According to the Coroners Court of Queensland, a forensic pathologist with Queensland Health determined James drowned after sustaining multiple injuries during the attack. A spokesperson for the coroner said the injuries occurred “due to or as a consequence of” the dingo attack. Authoritie

canada-issues-travel-advisory-warning-citizens-about-security-risks-in-pakistan

CanadaMar 06, 2026

Canada issues travel advisory warning citizens about security risks in Pakistan

The Government of Canada has issued an updated travel advisory for Canadians travelling to Pakistan, warning that the security situation in parts of the country remains fragile. According to the advisory published by Global Affairs Canada, rising tensions in the Middle East and ongoing military clashes along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border have increased safety concerns for travellers. Canadian officials say risks in Pakistan include terrorism, kidnapping and sectarian violence, and travellers are advised to exercise a high degree of caution. The advisory recommends that Canadians avoid all

Related News

Premier Eby tours progress at the new Surrey hospital and BC Cancer Centre construction site

Premier Eby tours progress at the new Surrey hospital and BC Cancer Centre construction site

Premier David Eby was in Surrey today. At around 10 a.m., he toured the new Surrey Hospital and BC Cancer Centre, being built near 180 Street and James Hill Drive in Surrey. He held technical discussions with trades team and the hospital representatives regarding construction works and the hospital. Speaking to the media after the visit, Premier said “the last time I came to this place, this seemed like a big hole in the ground, and today the construction work of the hospital is progressing in the right direction.” The Premier, while explaining the information gathered from the sites duri

B.C. legislature passes Trade Recognition Act allowing goods sold in Canada to be sold in province

B.C. legislature passes Trade Recognition Act allowing goods sold in Canada to be sold in province

The British Columbia legislature has passed Bill 5, the Trade Recognition Act, with support from all parties, a move the provincial government says will reduce interprovincial trade barriers and expand market access for businesses. The legislation allows goods and services that are legally sold in another Canadian province or territory to be sold in British Columbia without requiring duplicate provincial certification, according to the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. Jobs and Economic Growth Minister Ravi Kahlon said the measure builds on previous efforts to streamline i

Coroner says B.C. teen drowned after dingo attack on Australian island

Coroner says B.C. teen drowned after dingo attack on Australian island

An Australian coroner says a 19-year-old woman from British Columbia drowned after being attacked by a pack of dingoes during an early morning walk on an island off Queensland. Piper James was on a backpacking trip and had been working on K'Gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, when she died on Jan. 19. According to the Coroners Court of Queensland, a forensic pathologist with Queensland Health determined James drowned after sustaining multiple injuries during the attack. A spokesperson for the coroner said the injuries occurred “due to or as a consequence of” the dingo attack. Authoritie

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital