Atira CEO Janice Abbott resigns following conflict of interest probe

The CEO of B.C.’s largest non-profit housing provider has resigned following a scathing report that found systemic conflicts of interest permeated B.C. Housing because she’s married to the agency’s former top boss.

However, an expert in corporate governance said the departure of Janice Abbott, who has led Atira Women’s Resource Society since 1992, will not be enough to shake up the beleaguered non-profit.

An independent investigation by Ernst & Young released on May 8 found Atira received preferential treatment for supportive housing contracts because of Abbott’s marriage to former CEO Shayne Ramsay. Ramsay, who resigned in August after 22 years as CEO, repeatedly broke the conflict of interest agreement in place since 2010 to prevent him from making decisions related to Atira, the report found.

Abbott’s resignation comes after a week of defiance from Atira’s board of directors, which stood behind Abbott and insisted B.C. Housing had no business dictating who should make up its leadership team.