The U.S. Department of Labor is proposing new rules that would give pension plan fiduciaries the ability to make investment decisions based on environmental, social and governance factors. If adopted, the rules would amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. In its summary of the proposed changes, the Department of Labor said they’d […]
The images of floods, forest fires and heat waves over the past few years is putting climate change front of mind for many, including pension plan sponsors and administrators. It’s become increasingly clear that environmental, social and governance factors are emerging as an important area of concern for pension plan administrators and, by extension, the […]
The selection of a target-date fund glide path is more crucial than ever as the migration from DB to DC pension plans continues. Since its formation in the mid-1990s as an optional alternative to the company’s longstanding defined benefit offerings, the DC plan has amassed more than $1.5 billion in total assets as members gradually […]
Canadian pension funds are among the institutional investors participating in Climate Engagement Canada, a new initiative to promote a net-zero economy. The initiative, which is coordinated by several investor networks, is launching with 27 institutional investors that collectively manage more than $3 trillion in assets, according to a press release. The participating pension funds include […]
While 72 per cent of institutional investors are currently integrating environmental, social and governance factors into their investment strategies, 29 per cent are placing greater emphasis on ESG considerations as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new survey by RBC Global Asset Management. The survey, which polled 800 global institutional investors, found […]
The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan is appointing Kathryn Fric (pictured) as its next chief risk officer, effective Nov. 1. Fric will report to Jo Taylor, the pension fund’s president and chief executive officer. In the role, she’ll be responsible for providing independent risk oversight of all risk-related activities, leading the establishment of a risk framework and […]
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is planning to completely divest from oil production — roughly one per cent of its total portfolio or about $3.9 billion based on the size of its net assets as of June 30 — by the end of 2022, as part of its new climate change strategy. […]
With the federal Liberal Party returning for a third term, the government’s fiscal policy will remain aligned with a social agenda that should, in theory, support continued economic growth and, in turn, create opportunities for institutional investors, says Roshan Thiru, head of Canadian fixed income at Manulife Investment Management Ltd. “The Liberal Party continue to […]
The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan is setting new targets to accompany its plan to tackle climate change and curb greenhouse gas emissions tied to its multi-billion dollar portfolio. The pension fund said it aims to slash the carbon emissions intensity of its investments by 45 per cent by 2025 and by two-thirds by 2030, compared to its […]
When the coronavirus pandemic shook up the investment landscape last spring, Canadian pension funds were also jostled by the shock wave, with the Alberta Investment Management Corp. and the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System among the hardest hit. And while the pandemic was an unprecedented event, such losses have raised the issue of whether Canadian pension […]