Skip to Main content

30.24°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports 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

AlbertaJul 21, 2026

New Ivor Strong Bridge to open Monday, Alberta says

The Alberta government says Calgary drivers will be able to use the new Ivor Strong Bridge beginning Monday, marking a key milestone in the ongoing Deerfoot Trail improvement project. Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen said the new bridge will carry all southbound traffic. Once rehabilitation work on the existing bridge is complete, it will be dedicated to northbound traffic. According to the Alberta government, each bridge will provide four traffic lanes, increasing overall capacity for commuters. The province says the completed project is expected t

three-men-arrested-after-vancouver-police-seize-fentanyl-cocaine-and-methamphetamine-in-downtown-investigation

Three men arrested after Vancouver police seize fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine in downtown investigation

Three men have been arrested after a Vancouver Police Department investigation into suspected drug trafficking led to the seizure of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and cash from a downtown Vancouver hotel. According to a Vancouver Police Department news release, patrol officers launched "Project Atlas" earlier this month after observing what police described as suspicious activity at the Murray Hotel, located at 1117 Hornby St. Officers later executed a search warrant at the property. Police said they seized approximately 344 grams of fentanyl, 336 grams of cocaine, 75 grams of methampheta

IndiaJul 21, 2026

P.M. Modi Assures Farmers Their Interests Will Be Protected in Trade Deals

Amid a march by farmers from Punjab and Haryana toward Delhi to protest the proposed India–U.S. trade agreement and heightened tensions at the Shambhu border, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the central government remains fully committed to the welfare of farmers. The Prime Minister said farmers' interests would be given top priority in any trade agreement. He added that the government would take decisions after considering the concerns of the agricultural community. Modi also addressed students protesting over the NEET-UG paper leak case. He said the government is treating the

trump-says-canada-depends-on-u-s-poilievre-calls-proposed-50-tariff-unjustified

CanadaJul 21, 2026

Trump says Canada depends on U.S.; Poilievre calls proposed 50% tariff 'unjustified'

U.S. President Donald Trump and Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre have exchanged sharply contrasting messages as trade tensions between Canada and the United States continue to escalate. Speaking to reporters, Trump said he "loves the people of Canada" but claimed the country "would not exist without the United States" and needs the U.S. to survive. The remarks come amid an ongoing trade dispute between the two countries. Poilievre, meanwhile, criticized Trump's proposed 50 per cent tariff, calling it "unjustified" and harmful to both Canadian workers and American consumers. According

b-c-wildfire-crews-use-drone-for-canadas-first-controlled-burn-operation

B.C. wildfire crews use drone for Canada's first controlled burn operation

Firefighters battling an active wildfire in British Columbia have successfully used a drone to carry out a controlled burn for the first time in Canada, according to the BC Wildfire Service. The agency said crews working near Boston Bar used the drone to ignite a planned section of dry forest that was in the path of the advancing wildfire. The controlled burn was intended to remove available fuel and help slow the fire's spread. According to the BC Wildfire Service, controlled burns are typically conducted using helicopters or ground crews, both of which can expose firefighters to greater risk

Related News

Three men arrested after Vancouver police seize fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine in downtown investigation

Three men arrested after Vancouver police seize fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine in downtown investigation

Three men have been arrested after a Vancouver Police Department investigation into suspected drug trafficking led to the seizure of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and cash from a downtown Vancouver hotel. According to a Vancouver Police Department news release, patrol officers launched "Project Atlas" earlier this month after observing what police described as suspicious activity at the Murray Hotel, located at 1117 Hornby St. Officers later executed a search warrant at the property. Police said they seized approximately 344 grams of fentanyl, 336 grams of cocaine, 75 grams of methampheta

B.C. wildfire crews use drone for Canada's first controlled burn operation

B.C. wildfire crews use drone for Canada's first controlled burn operation

Firefighters battling an active wildfire in British Columbia have successfully used a drone to carry out a controlled burn for the first time in Canada, according to the BC Wildfire Service. The agency said crews working near Boston Bar used the drone to ignite a planned section of dry forest that was in the path of the advancing wildfire. The controlled burn was intended to remove available fuel and help slow the fire's spread. According to the BC Wildfire Service, controlled burns are typically conducted using helicopters or ground crews, both of which can expose firefighters to greater risk

Heat warnings issued across southern B.C. after multiple temperature records fall

Heat warnings issued across southern B.C. after multiple temperature records fall

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued heat warnings for much of southern British Columbia after several communities recorded new daily temperature highs. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the warnings cover the east coast of Vancouver Island, Whistler and the Fraser Valley, and are expected to remain in effect until Wednesday. Heat warnings for parts of the Southern Interior could continue through Thursday. Forecasters say daytime temperatures in coastal areas are expected to exceed 30 C, while the Fraser Valley and Southern Interior could see highs near 35 C. Offi

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital