Atira Women's Resource Society names interim CEO
Embattled B.C. housing provider Atira Women’s Resource Society has named an interim CEO, a move the board says is part of its work to rebuild trust following a damning report and the former leader's resignation earlier this month.
Catherine Roome is taking the helm to usher in a "new phase" for the organization, according to an announcement Tuesday, which describes Roome as an experienced leader in both the public and private sector.
"I am eager to help Atira conduct the hard but necessary work to reset and renew while ensuring the organization’s important work—serving and protecting women, children and gender diverse people and providing much-needed housing—continues,” Roome said in a statement.
Former CEO Janice Abbott resigned her position on May 15, a week after the province announced the findings of a third-party review of BC Housing and ordered Atira's funding to be frozen and all of its buildings to be inspected pending the outcome of a government-led review.
The review found numerous examples of the Crown corporation's former CEO Shayne Ramsay, who is Abbott's husband, breaching conflict of interest rules when it came to awarding funding and contracts to Atira.
The announcement of a new CEO, Atira's statement says, is one of the steps the provider is taking in response to the findings–on top of conducting its own review, co-operating with the government's financial and operational review, allowing a government representative to act as an observer on its board of directors, and returning a surplus of nearly $2 million.
"Atira is committed to rebuilding trust with government and the communities it serves," the statement announcing Roome's appointment said.
Atira operates 2,969 units of housing in B.C.'s Lower Mainland and received $74 million from BC Housing in 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.
A couple lost their wedding rings during the ceremony. Two strangers found a fitting solution
Every good wedding has to have one teensy, tiny crisis.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.