Five Canadian pension funds are among the most transparent in the world, according to the global pension transparency benchmark, a collaboration between Top1000funds.com and CEM Benchmarking Inc. The benchmark, launched in 2021, measures the transparency of disclosures of 15 pension systems across measurements such as cost, governance, performance and responsible investing. The Canada Pension Plan […]
In December 2021, Simon Fraser University announced the global equity portfolios for its non-pension related funds — valued at $450 million — would divest from fossil fuel producers. Four months later, the three members of its treasury team, which is led by Jacky Shen, treasurer and director of investment at the university, announced it had […]
The Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology pension plan is appointing Karen Lockridge as director of responsible investing. In the new role, she’ll be responsible for developing and refining the CAAT’s responsible investing strategy, including research, analysis and reporting on the pension plan’s environmental, social and governance activities. Lockridge will also provide guidance to the […]
As Canada’s largest residential real estate investment trusts drive up the country’s rental property prices through evictions and renovations, these moves highlight institutional investors’ human rights obligations, according to a new article by the Shareholder Association for Research and Education. In the article, the SHARE said Canada’s residential REITs capitalize on tenant turnover and suite […]
Institutional investors are steadily integrating environmental, social and governance into their investment reporting and practices, according to a new report by the United Nations’ principles for responsible investment. The report, which analyzed data from more than 1,800 investment organizations that have signed the PRI, found nearly all have formal, senior-level oversight and accountability for responsible […]
Over the last year, the number of large Canadian pension funds with commitments to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 rose from two funds to nine, representing $1.8 trillion — or 81 per cent — of total pension fund assets evaluated, according to a new report by Corporate Knights. The report also found four of the […]
The Public Sector Pension Investment Board is updating its proxy voting guidelines to communicate its views on sound corporate governance practices and climate change. According to the guidelines, boards of directors at the companies in which PSP Investments invests, are expected to ensure climate risks and opportunities are integrated into their strategy and operations. They […]
Canada requires clear, consistent guidance on the integration and reporting of sustainability factors into investment decisions, according to a new report from the United Nations-based principles for responsible investment. “There are currently no consistent regulatory requirements for sustainability reporting that apply to all investors and issuers across Canada,” noted the report. “Without such a tool, […]
The vast majority (90 per cent) of institutional investors say they’re planning to increase allocations to sustainable and impact investments over the next five years, according to a survey by Cambridge Associates. The survey, which polled more than 140 institutional investors, found two-thirds (65 per cent) of respondents reported engaging in sustainable and impact investing, […]
As the University Pension Plan increases its focus on climate change, its responsible investment policy considers environmental, social and governance factors as essential to sound long-term investing. “We’ve seen a lot of evidence from a variety of service providers — from investment banks to investment managers — that have demonstrated [the climate] is getting warmer […]