We are now in Month 14 of the coronavirus pandemic. For institutional investors like pension plans, this pandemic and its consequences highlight the reality of systemic risk: events like the ongoing pandemic can and do happen and pension plans need to get ready. Because another systemic risk is at our doorstep: climate change. 2020 was one […]
It isn’t just asset managers who are increasingly embracing the integration of environmental, social and governance factors into investment decision-making. An important contributor to “record inflows” into sustainable investing strategies over the past 12 to 18 months is demand from plan members, as well as individual retail investors, says Eric Monteiro, senior vice-president, group retirement […]
Jennifer Coulson has been engaged in responsible investing and environmental, social and governance factors for two decades and remembers a time when it was difficult to get access to chief executive officers to discuss her concerns. Not anymore. Today, senior leaders have a much better understanding of the importance of ESG factors and actively seek […]
A recent ruling on federal carbon pricing sparked a lot of loud talk on both sides of the aisle, but the impact on institutional investors will be muted, says Monika Freyman, a chartered financial analyst and the responsible investment leader for Mercer’s wealth business in Canada. On March 25, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled […]
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is launching a investment group that will focus on renewables, conventional energy and new technology and service solutions. The sustainable energy group combines the CPPIB’s energy and resources group with the power and renewables group for a total of $18 billion in assets, according to a press release. The group’s […]
Taylor Guitars is moving to a 100 per cent employee-ownership model with the help of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan and Canadian non-profit Social Capital Partners. Founded by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug 46 years ago, the U.S. guitar maker has adopted an employee stock ownership program structure, enabling its staff around the globe […]
An insurance holding company backed by the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan is making its inaugural transaction, valued at US$1 billion. Constellation Insurance Holdings Inc. will acquire Ohio National Mutual Holdings Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Ohio National Financial Services Inc., a deal that includes both member […]
Imperial Oil Ltd. is recommending investors attending its annual meeting in May vote against a shareholder resolution that it adopt a corporate-wide target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The motion, made by Aequo Shareholder Engagement Services on behalf of Quebec group retirement system Bâtirente, argues that Imperial’s current 2023 emissions-reduction target is a step in […]
While the coronavirus pandemic is continuing to shape global markets following a tumultuous 2020, institutional investors are looking beyond the crisis, says Rob Almeida, portfolio manager and global investment strategist at MFS Investment Management Canada Ltd. “It’s no different how we thought about it last year, it’s just that the environment has changed. It’s about […]
Nike Inc. has released a series of diversity, equity and inclusion targets it aims to achieve over the next five years and announced it’ll tie executive compensation to meeting them and its broader environmental, social and governance efforts. “Our Purpose 2025 Targets are not just aspirations. They are a call to action — with clear […]