Morgane Oger

August 27, 2024

Dear Members of the Community,

I am saddened to share that I have decided to resign from the Board of Directors of Atira Women’s Resource Society.

Atira provides 3,000 units of low-barrier housing for women and their children fleeing violence. I was proud to contribute to its governance during a challenging time marked by years of underfunding the sector. However, recent events have led me to reflect deeply on my position.

My decision reflects concerns about governance and accountability within Atira. While I have always been guided by my commitment to human rights and equity, I believe my resignation is necessary to prevent further conflict within the organization, given our differing views on workplace safety and accountability.

Atira requested my resignation following staff complaints about a social media statement I made on August 4, 2024, concerning the nature of protests at Vancouver Pride events, which are discussed in the Vancouver Sun article “Trans activist denounces pro-Palestine protest that disrupted Vancouver Pride parades.”

Although my words were intended to foster dialogue and reflect my commitment to human rights, some staff and Directors perceived them as harmful and called for my departure.

Unfortunately, Atira did not recognize its accountability in the workplace and declined to take action to address the inappropriate nature of the complaints or take any steps toward reconciliation that would make it possible (and safe) for me to continue as an Atira Director. The organization preferred to facilitate my exit rather than address the underlying issues. 

It is essential to uphold the right to express facts and opinions freely in Canada, especially within organizations committed to social justice. A board member’s fiduciary duty does not mean agreeing with every view or action of every staff member. In a workplace, we must balance freedom of expression with respect and accountability. Unfortunately, Atira’s response to this situation did not align with these principles, highlighting significant concerns about workplace safety and governance.

The situation highlights a need for Atira to review its policies on workplace conduct to ensure they align with its mission and legal standards. Moving forward, I encourage Atira to establish more precise guidelines and channels for dialogue to foster a more inclusive and accountable environment. Addressing these governance gaps will help prevent future conflicts and support a healthier, more effective work environment.

My belief in fairness and human rights motivated my joining Atira’s board—to help the organization protect women from injustice at a critical time—despite concerns about my safety as a transgender woman on the board of a women’s services organization. While I do not believe formal action is the best path forward, I hope this experience encourages reflection and growth within Atira and the broader community.

It is essential for all involved to consider how they can better uphold Atira’s mission without allowing divisive, unrelated issues to derail our core objectives. In this spirit, I have provided specific recommendations to the Atira board to address these challenges constructively.

Atira reports employing more than 1,300 workers, and an organization of this scale is too large to be taking ill-advised shortcuts. In a well-managed charitable organization, the Board instructs the CEO through the Co-Chairs, and I do not believe Atira’s approach to facing this situation meets the expectations of British Columbians.

There is no place in Canada for those who allow bias-motivated sentiment to escalate into harming others, whether it is where we work, where we volunteer, where we live, or where we access services. I am disappointed by a trend in some social service organizations and progressive movements to let divisive, unrelated issues derail our core missions. This has happened here. Everyone involved will have the chance to reflect on what can be done better next time. 

Thank you for your support and understanding.

Sincerely,

Morgane Oger

This letter was drafted with the knowledge of Atira and under the terms of a mediated agreement. I am grateful to Atira for allowing me to write it.