Category: News

Congratulations to Canada’s newest recipients of the RIA’s financial designations in recognition of expertise in responsible investing. View a full list of RIA-Certified individuals here.

Learn more about the RIA’s training and certifications here.

Francis Ashfield (RIS), Ashfield Services Financiers Inc.
Avraham Aviad Teboul (RIS), SFL Placements
Muirgheal Bascia (RIS), SunCu Financial Services Inc
Maria Beauchamp (RIS), Investment Planning Counsel
Antoine Bossé (RIS), UNI Coopération financière
Simon Bowers (RIAC), Guardian Capital Advisors LP
Maxime Caron (RIS), UNI Coopération financière
Marie-Christine Comeau (RIS), UNI Coopération financière
William Coughlan (RIS), Investia Financial Services
Kelly Dagelman (RIS), The Co-operators
Ghislain Desrosiers (RIS) UNI Coopération financière
Maika Dubé-Haddad (RIS), Services financiers Planica inc.
Michelle Dutkowski (RIS), Envision Financial
Matthew Evans (RIS), iA Private Wealth
Simon Gaudet (RIS), Desjardins
John Georgescu (RIS), SunCu Financial Services Inc.
Joe Gosselin (RIS), Gosselin – Gestion de patrimoine inc.
Tommy Grégoire (RIS), Services financiers Grégoire & Roy
Vicki Joel (RIS), Vancity
Alena Khalimon (RIS), Thrive Wealth Management
Justin Lacchin (RIS), Mowbray, Wright Financial
Raymond Lam (RIS), Affinity Credit Union
Rino Leblanc (RIS), UNI Coopération financière
Marie-Pierre Leblond (RIS), Services financiers Planica inc.
Yves Lefrançois (RIS), Groupe Financier Stratège
Axel Lellouche (RIS)
Marie-Andrée Linteau-Lapierre (RIS), Stratégica services financiers
Frank M Tefft (RIS)
Jessica Macwan (RIS), Christian Credit Union
Carlo Mannarino (RIS), Botica
Mathieu Marcil (RIS), Gestion Mathieu Marcil inc
Logan McLellan (RIS), MN Investments
Christine McNerney (RIS)
Maria Danielle Nielsen (RIS), Valley First
Bryan Paul (RIS), Ecclestone Financial Group
Annie Pelletier (RIS), GPS Équipe conseil Inc
Jean-Baptiste Pons (RIS), Dejardins
Craig Reid (RIS), Manulife
Teresa Reid-Clare (RIS), First Ontario Credit Union
Ian Runnalls (RIS)
Francis Sabourin (RIS), Patrimoine Richardson Limitée
Matt Sebesten (RIAC), Morgan Stanley Canada Limited
Jason Self (RIS)
Julia Skothos (RIS), NEI Investments
Maryana Sokolyuk (RIAC), Desjardins
Marko Stanojevic (RIS), Valley First
Marilyn Vallée (RIS), Services Financiers Imago inc.
Jennifer Vieno (RIPC), Morningstar
Maria Wright (RIS), Thrive Wealth Strategies
Teresa Yeung (RIS), Assante Financial Management Ltd

We’re pleased to announce the judges of the 2021 RIA Leadership Awards! The Awards will recognize the outstanding contributions of our members to responsible investment in Canada.

The panel of judges is composed of experts from across the industry including financial advisors, consultants, asset managers, asset owners, journalists, and academics.

Meet the Judges

Amr Addas – Adjunct Professor and Director of the Van Berkom Investment Management Program, John Molson School of Business, Concordia University

Amr Addas is an Adjunct Professor and Director of the Van Berkom Investment Management Program and Van Berkom Small Cap Case Competition at the John Molson School of Business, Concordia University. He leads Concordia’s Sustainable Investing Practicum in collaboration with Manulife. Learn More

Patti Dolan – Portfolio Manager, Mission Wealth Advisors of Raymond James Ltd.

Patti Dolan is portfolio manager with Mission Wealth Advisors of Raymond James Ltd., based in Calgary. Patti has been in the investment industry for over 30 years and has practiced Responsible Investing (RI) since 1995. Learn More

Pablo Fuchs – Globe Advisor Editor, The Globe and Mail

Pablo Fuchs is editor of Globe Advisor at The Globe and Mail, a position he has held since January 2019. He oversees the editorial direction and manages the production of daily content for the Globe’s direct-to-advisor offering. Learn More

Christian Hansen – Compliance and Revenue Manager, The Real Estate Foundation of BC

Christian has worked for the past 11 years at the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia where he oversees the revenue streams and investments of the Foundation. Learn More

Emily Lawrence – Director, Sustainable Investing, Northern Trust Asset Management

Emily Lawrence is Director of Sustainable Investing at Northern Trust Asset Management where she is responsible for client engagement and partnership regarding Northern Trusts’ sustainable investing capabilities. Learn More

Michelle McCulloch – Director, Research Products, Sustainalytics

Michelle leads the Thematic Research Team within Research Products at Sustainalytics and is also a leader on the Enhanced Research Team. She has been a sector manager leading both the Financials research team and the Extractives research team. Learn More

Jean-Philippe Renaut – CEO, Aequo

Jean-Philippe Renaut joined Æquo in 2016 and a year later became its CEO. He is responsible for client relations, business development and operations, and leads specific dialogues with companies on behalf of Æquo’s clients. Learn More

Mark Sevestre – President, National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association

In 2006, Mark became one of three founding members of the National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association. Serving in several roles, including Board Member, Committee Chairman and President, Mark is currently serving as Founder and Senior Advisor to NATOA. Learn More

Melissa Shin – Editorial Director, Advisor’s Edge and Investment Executive

Melissa Shin is the Editorial Director at Advisor’s Edge and Investment Executive with Newcom Media Inc. As an award-winning journalist and the editorial director of four national financial services publications, Melissa turns technical subject matter into accessible content for sophisticated audiences. Learn More

Sarah Takaki – Senior Director, Sustainable Investing, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

Sarah Takaki is the Senior Director, Sustainable Investing at the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), where she leads the Sustainable Investing program. Learn More

Stephen Whipp – Director of Responsible Asset Management, Leede Jones Gable Inc.

Stephen Whipp is an activist and a passionate guy. He believes that individuals working together really can change the world for the better. With a background in journalism and non-profit management that includes aboriginal governance, and more than 20 years as a successful investment advisor, Steve brings a potent combination of experience, knowledge and connections to the table. Learn More

The Responsible Investment Association (RIA) is pleased to announce it will deliver quarterly reports powered by Morningstar data on the performance of responsible investment (RI) funds in the Canadian market.

The RIA will leverage Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar) data to develop its Quarterly RI Fund Reports, which will cover mutual funds and exchange-traded funds in Canada that disclose RI practices in regulatory documents, and are marketed as responsible investments.

The RIA’s new Quarterly RI Fund Reports will include Morningstar data on the performance of RI funds, as well as RI fund flows and RI product launches. These reports will be posted on the RIA’s website and distributed via the RIA’s newsletters and social media channels. An additional spreadsheet containing performance data for all RI products will be made available exclusively to RIA members via the members-only section of the RIA website.

The RIA and Morningstar will also align their approaches to sizing the market for RI funds in Canada, helping lead to more consistent market sizing figures across the industry.

“We are pleased to work with Morningstar to enhance our research capabilities,” said Dustyn Lanz, CEO of the Responsible Investment Association. “The use of Morningstar data will enable us to deliver more robust Quarterly RI Fund Reports for our membership. In addition, as the RI market matures, it is important that we collaborate with key stakeholders to promote convergence and alignment with respect to market sizing data. This will help us do that,” said Lanz.

“Globally, Morningstar continues to focus on helping investors de-mystify the concept of investing sustainably through our data, ratings, research, and analytics” said Scott Mackenzie, CEO of Morningstar Research Inc. “As such, we are pleased to assist RIA Canada in providing insights into this quickly evolving space with the end goal to empower the success of the Canadian investor.”

About the Responsible Investment Association

The Responsible Investment Association (RIA) is Canada’s industry association for responsible investment (RI). The RIA aims to drive the growth and development of RI in Canada, with a vision to align capital with sustainable and inclusive development as codified in the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our members include asset managers, asset owners, advisors, service providers and others who support these objectives. The RIA’s institutional members collectively manage more than $25 trillion in assets. Learn more at www.riacanada.ca.

About Morningstar Research Inc. and Morningstar, Inc.

Morningstar Research Inc. is a Canadian subsidiary of Chicago-based Morningstar, Inc., a leading provider of independent investment research in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company offers an extensive line of products and services for individual investors, financial advisors, asset managers, retirement plan providers and sponsors, and institutional investors in the debt and private capital markets. Morningstar provides data and research insights on a wide range of investment offerings, including managed investment products, publicly listed companies, private capital markets, debt securities, and real-time global market data. Morningstar also offers investment management services through its investment advisory subsidiaries, with approximately US$227 billion in assets under advisement and management as of Dec. 31, 2020. The company has operations in 29 countries. For more information, visit www.morningstar.com/company. Follow Morningstar on Twitter @MorningstarInc.

Enquiries
Nick Buccheri
RIA Director of Operations
nick@riacanada.ca
+1(416) 461-6042 x5

Highlights from Q4 2020

• A majority of RI funds in Canada outperformed their average asset class return in the fourth quarter of 2020 and over the full year.
• RI funds experienced positive estimated net inflows in the fourth quarter of 2020 and for the full year.
• 2020 was a strong year for RI fund product launches, with a total of 41 new RI funds launched, more than double the number of new RI funds in 2019.

RI Fund Performance

According to data provided by Morningstar, the majority of Canadian RI funds were able to weather the coronavirus quite well over the course of the year relative to their respective asset class peers. A majority of Canadian RI funds outperformed their average asset class return in the fourth quarter of 2020, and over 70% of RI funds outperformed their average asset class return for the one-year period ending December 31, 2020.

Compared to their conventional fund peers, RI funds also performed well over the medium- to long-term periods reviewed in this report, highlighting the value of incorporating environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment decisions. As of December 31, 2020, three-quarters of the RI funds outperformed their average asset class return over the previous three years, while two-thirds outperformed their average asset class return over the previous five years. The majority of RI funds outperformed their average asset class return over the 10- year period ending December 31, 2020.

The following charts provide a quick overview of notable RI fund performance relative to their asset class peers, in the fourth quarter of 2020 and over longer time periods.

Canadian Equity

In the Canadian Equity fund class, 74% of the RI funds outperformed their average asset class return in the quarter, and 66% of the RI funds outperformed their average asset class return over the one-year period. The majority of the RI funds in this category out-performed their average asset class return over the medium and longer-term periods reviewed in this report.

Canadian Neutral Balanced

In the Canadian Neutral Balanced fund class, all of the RI funds outperformed their average asset class return in the fourth quarter of 2020, and over the one-year period. All of the RI funds also outperformed their average asset class return in the three-year, five-year and ten-year periods ending December 31, 2020.

Global Equity

In the Global Equity fund class, over half of the RI funds outperformed their average asset class return in the quarter, and 63% of the RI funds outperformed their average asset class return over the one-year ending December 31, 2020. The majority of the RI funds in this category outperformed their average asset class return over the three, five and ten-year periods reviewed in this report.

Global Equity Balanced

In the Global Equity Balanced fund class, 71% of the RI funds outperformed their average asset class return over the quarter. Almost all of the RI funds outperformed their average asset class return for the one-year and three-year periods reviewed in this report. A significant majority of the RI funds outperformed over the five-year and ten-year periods ending December 31, 2020.

Note: For the purpose of this report, RI funds include those that are marketed as responsible investments with RI strategies/policies disclosed in regulatory documents. Average asset class return includes RI and non-RI funds. Only the oldest share class of RI funds were included in the analysis against category averages. Returns for periods greater than one year are annualized.

RI Fund Flows

Net asset flows for Canada-domiciled RI mutual funds and ETFs, estimated by Morningstar, were positive in each month of the fourth quarter of 2020 with growing momentum. Total estimated flows amounted to positive $1.5 Billion for Q4, and over $3.3 Billion for the calendar year.

Canadian RI Mutual Fund and ETF Estimated Net Flows, Active & Passive

Source: Morningstar Direct. Data as of December 31, 2020. Excludes fund of funds.

RI Product Launches

According to Morningstar, over the full calendar year a total of 41 new RI funds launched, more than doubling the 19 launched in 2019. In the fourth quarter of 2020, 8 additional RI funds came to market. Of the 41 new funds in 2020, 21 were indexed or passive investments.

Canadian RI Mutual Fund and ETF Launches, Active/Passive

Source: Morningstar Direct. Data as of December 31, 2020.

Download Q4 2020 Highlights PDF.

RIA Members can download the full report by logging in to their account and accessing Member Resources.

Data provided by

©2021 Morningstar. All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Disclosure
The information contained in this report is for educational and general information purposes only. The information contained herein does not constitute advice nor does it constitute an offering of securities or any advertisement for the offering of securities. You should not act or rely on the information without seeking professional advice. While we believe the information to be reliable [and endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct], we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, timeliness, suitability or availability with respect to the report or the information, products, services or related graphics contained in the report for any purpose. The RIA does not endorse, recommend or guarantee any investment products listed in the report.

Congratulations to Canada’s newest recipients of the RIA’s financial designations in recognition of expertise in responsible investing. View a full list of RIA-Certified individuals here.

Learn more about the RIA’s training and certifications here.

Anne Marie Béhar-Bannelier (RIS), FirstOntario Credit Union
Dany Bergeron (RIAC)
Lindsay Betteridge (RIS), Burnaby Heights Community Branch
Sean Bjorklund (RIS), Connect First Wealth
Max Bodnar (RIS), TD
Larry Boyle (RIS), FirstOntario Credit Union
Tyarra Braun (RIS), Winnipeg Police Credit Union
Amélie Brosseau (RIS), Amélie Brosseau Assurances Inc.
Ross Campbell (RIS), Assante
Roger-Simon Chagnon (RIS)
Regneil Chandra (RIS), Vancity Credit Union
Dorian Chin (RIS), TD Asset Management
André Daigle (RIS), UNI Coopération financière
Jérôme Daoust (RIS), Placements NEI
Richard Daugherty (RIS), Ogilvie Daugherty Financial Services
Jenna Dowling (RIS), FirstOntario Credit Union
John F Brown (RIS), Manulife Securities Incorporated
Gerard Feliciano (RIS), Sunlife
Tim Fox (RIS)
Chad Gardeski (RIS), EdwardJones
Craig Golightly (RIAC), BMO Nesbitt Burns
Keith Haigh (RIS), EdwardJones
Danny Harris (RIS), Alterna
Jeremy Hendrikx (RIS)
Brigitte Herold-Archer (RIS), Edward Jones
Girish Jayakumar (RIPC)
Jordan Kaczmarzyk (RIS), Fidelity Investments
LIN King Yeung (RIPC)
Angela Kulis (RIS), Vancity
Mininder Kumar (RIS), FirstOntario Credit Union
Brigitte Laframboise (RIS), Desjardins
Devin Leong (RIS)
Jonathan Marcil (RIS), Services Financiers J. Marcil Inc
Daniel Marley (RIS), Island Savings
Margaret Mazurkewicz (RIS), FirstOntario Credit Union
Steeve Mc Lean (RIS), Gestion Phocus
Craig McFadden (RIS)
Audrey McFarlane (RIS)
Jacqueline Miller (RIS), Libro Credit Union
Gregory Mills (RIS), TD Wealth Private Investment
Martin Moisan (RIS), Sunlife
Marguerite Morin (RIS)
Jadyme Paquin (RIS), MICA – Cabinets de services financiers
Pat Wah Patrick LIm (RIS)
Mélanie Pelletier (RIS), MICA – Cabinets de services financiers
Owen Prutton (RIS), Kindred Credit Union
Alvin Ranchhod (RIS), Fidelity Investments Canada
Tyler Rochford (RIS), Industrial Alliance Securities Inc.
Cory Sheehan (RIS), Edward Jones
Henry So (RIPC), Empire
Jason Sonoda (RIS), TD Wealth Private Investment Advice
Adam Sonoda (RIS), Sonoda Family Wealth Advisors
Nicholas Turner (RIS), EdwardJones
Brian W. Sonoda (RIS), TD Wealth Private Investment Advice
Natalie Walker (RIS), Coastal Community Private Wealth Group

Employer: Responsible Investment Association (RIA)
Location: Toronto
Hours: 30 hours per week, Monday to Thursday.
Start date: April, 2021
Application deadline: Please apply ASAP. Virtual interviews will begin in March.

About the Responsible Investment Association (RIA)

The Responsible Investment Association (RIA) is Canada’s industry association for responsible investment (RI). The RIA aims to drive the growth and development of RI in Canada, with a vision to align capital with sustainable and inclusive development as codified in the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our members include asset managers, asset owners, advisors, and service providers who support these objectives.

The RIA is a strong proponent of diversity and strives to foster an inclusive workplace culture driven by purpose, wellness, development, and productivity. We encourage applications from traditionally underrepresented groups, including but not limited to: Black and Indigenous communities, people of colour, women, members of the LGBT2Q+ community, and people with disabilities.

Due to the pandemic, our staff are working remotely and will continue to do so until it is safe to return to the office. We expect this will be no sooner than September, and we will adapt our timeline as needed to ensure the safety of our staff. Our office is located at 111 Peter Street in downtown Toronto.

Position Overview

The Director of Finance will be part of a team of eight core staff members working to promote the development of RI in Canada. Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with the Director of Operations and the Senior Manager of Member Relations, the Director of Finance will be responsible for the financial management of the association including full-cycle accounting, financial statement preparation, annual audit participation, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management. The Director of Finance will also work closely with the RIA’s Treasurer and Finance and Audit Committee (F&AC), participating in Board and F&AC meetings and contributing to finance policy development.

Key Accountabilities

Financial Management

• Full cycle accounting including management of accounts payable, invoicing & accounts receivable, payroll, statutory remittances, reconciling bank accounts and financial reporting.
• Responsible for all government remittances and other tax filings (payroll, G/HST, QST, WSIB) on a timely and accurate basis.
• Support the membership team with the membership renewal process, including invoicing and member renewal tracking.
• Support the operations team with any financial requirements necessary for successfully delivering the RIA’s programs and events.
• Prepare monthly financial statements for review with the CEO. This includes reporting and analyzing budget variances and working closely with the CEO to regularly update the year-end forecast.
• Closely manage and report on cash flow.
• Prepare quarterly financial statements for F&AC and Board meetings; attend all Board and F&AC meetings, as well as other board committee meetings as needed to make presentations and respond to questions.
• Work with the CEO and F&AC in preparing the annual operating budget.
• Prepare year-end working papers for our external auditor, KPMG. This includes preparation of all financial statements and related notes, and responding to auditor inquiries.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards and best practices for non-profit organizations.
• Maintain and continuously improve finance and accounting procedures, ensuring that relevant policies are followed, and controls are effective.

Payroll and HR Administration

• Manage the RIA’s payroll via Ceridian, our third-party payroll service provider.
• Ensure the reconciliation of payroll accounts and Ceridian year-end reporting; issue T4s prepared by Ceridian.
• Process contract payments to RIA’s associates / sub-contractors.
• Administer the RIA’s benefit, pension and wellness plan; handle new employee enrolment and staffing / salary updates.
• Track RIA staff vacation, sick days and other absences.

As we are a small team, the Director of Finance will also be expected to occasionally help out with other tasks assigned by the CEO.

Key Qualifications

• CPA designation and a university degree.
• Minimum 7 years of increasingly progressive experience in accounting and finance role(s), preferably in the non-profit sector or the investment industry.
• Demonstrable knowledge of Canadian accounting standards for non-profit organizations (“ASNPO”) and regulations governing non-profit accounting.
• Proficient in QuickBooks accounting software (or skills to transfer from QuickBooks over to another accounting program).
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word programs. The RIA also uses Google Drive, Salesforce, Dropbox, and Slack, so familiarity with these programs would be an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Bilingualism (French and English) would be a valuable asset.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Meticulous attention to detail in all areas of work.
• Strong time management and prioritization skills.
• Due to the nature of this position, the successful candidate will be required to pass a mandatory background check.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

• You are all about accuracy and attention to detail!
• You have the ability to interpret financial statements in relation to actual business operations and decision-making.
• You have a deep respect for compliance, process and deadlines.
• You are a problem solver who is adaptable, resourceful and entrepreneurial.
• You are an independent learner, able and willing to meet and exceed expectations with limited supervision.
• You have an interest in societal issues such as sustainable development, human rights, diversity, and good corporate governance.

What’s in it for you

• Competitive salary for a non-profit organization.
• Health and dental benefits after completing three-month probationary period.
• 6% RRSP contributions after one year of employment.
• $1,000 annual credit for professional development activities.
• $1,000 annual credit for wellness expenses.
• Full coverage of annual CPA dues.
• Three weeks of paid vacation (FTE), plus the RIA winter office closure between December 24th and January 1st, for a total of four weeks of paid time off.
• When it is safe to return to the office, you will work in a bright, modern office space in downtown Toronto with sit-stand desks and nearby access to public transit.
• Be part of a small team of professionals who are helping to create positive societal change in the investment industry!

To Apply

• Please send your resume and cover letter as a single PDF to careers@riacanada.ca with the subject line, “Director of Finance Position.” The filename of your PDF should follow the format, “FirstName_LastName_Application.”
• In your cover letter, please explain why you are interested in this position, and describe how your experience will enable you to succeed in this role.

Congratulations to Canada’s newest recipients of the RIA’s financial designations in recognition of expertise in responsible investing. View a full list of RIA-Certified individuals here.

Learn more about the RIA’s training and certifications here.

Susan Andrighetti (RIS), CIBC Wood Gundy
Emily Astren (RIS)
Adam Baird (RIS), Libro Credit Union
Brandy Bassendowski (RIS), Servus Credit Union
Frédérique Beaumont-Vézina (RIS), Vézina et Fille Services Financiers
Steve Beauregard (RIS), De Champlain Groupe Financier Inc
Sebastien Bernier (RIS)
Jean-François Blais (RIS)
Greg Boles (RIS), 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union
Laurence Bouvet (RIAC), Laurence Bouvet Conseils
Evan Brow (RIS) Vancity
Dylan Brown (RIS), Brown & Associates / Sterling Mutuals Inc.
Michael Butler (RIS)
Jamie Campbell (RIS)
Jean-Sébastien Charron (RIS)
Bree Chartier (RIS), Thrive Wealth Management
Sara Clarke (RIS), Libro Credit Union
Brad Compton (RIS), Assante Capital Management Ltd.
Kenneth Coombs (RIS), Selectpath Benefits & Financial Inc.
Rita Costa (RIS), Servus Credit Union
Pierre A Coté (RIS), Pierre.A.Coté & Associés inc.
Stéphan Crête (RIS), Services financiers SC
Mei Yu (Yulia) Cu (RIS), SunLife
Damita Dai (RIS)
Sasheka Daljitsingh (RIS)
Alexandre Demets (RIS), Placements Financière Sun Life
Guillaume Denis-Ducharme (RIS), Lightaus Groupe Financier
Michael Derby (RIS), Polson Bourbonniere Derby Wealth Management
Suzanne Dionne (RIS), Desjardins
Xiao Xi (Diana) Duan (RIS), G&F Financial Group
Guylaine Duplessis (RIS), Desjardins
Jackson Edward (Ted) (RIPC), Jackson and Associates Ltd
Tracy Evans (RIS), FundEX Investments Inc.
Alex Forsey (RIS)
Karen Fox (RIS), Aldergrove Financial Services Ltd.
Marie-Claude Gaudet (RIS), Les services financiers Sylvie Béland Inc.
Kari Geddes (RIS), Uxbridge Mortgage Solutions
Martin Gervais (RIS), De Champlain
Mélissa Giroux (RIS), Desjardins
Simon-Pier Goulet (RIS), Desjardins
Don Graham (RIS), G&F Financial Group
Emily Graham (RIS), IA Clarington Investments
Jennifer Gunning (RIAC), Gunning Wealth Management Group
Jonathan Ha (RIS), Freedom 55 Financial & Quadrus Investments
Daniel Harissa (RIS), Lafond Services Financiers
Marylou Heenan (RIS), Assante Capital Management Ltd.
Matthew Hicks (RIS), Northern Credit Union
Dan Iamonaco (RIS), Meridian
Andrew Inthahack (RIS), Alterna Savings
Aleks Janjic (RIS), Meridian Credit Union
Therese Josefsson (RIS)
Simon Juteau (RIS), Juteau Services financiers inc
Frédérik Jutras (RIS), Desjardins
Khaled Khaled (RIS), Meridian Credit Union
Michael Khan (RIS) SunLife
Melissa Koehn (RIS), Mackenzie Investments
Mike Kombargi (RIS), Meridian Credit Union
Dominic Labrie (RIS), MICA Capital
Roxane Lacouline (RIS), Desjardins
Hubert Laforce (RIS), CI Gestion de patrimoine Assante
Florian Lahaye (RIS) Desjardins
Todd Leach (RIS), Meridian Credit Union
Marc-André Lebel (RIS), C2 office familial
Daniel Lee (RIS), Edward Jones
Tracy Legge (RIS), Libro Credit Union
Caroline Lemieux (RIS), Larochelle-Conseils
Matthews Lesley (RIPC), Polaris Solutions Inc.
Bryce Letham (RIS), Vancity
Jeffrey Li (RIS)
Henry Ly (RIS), Interior Savings
Christopher Lyn (RIS), SunLife
Craig MacDougall (RIAC), Vancity
Bradley Mackenzie (RIS), Empire Life
Sylvain Mantha (RIS), Services financiers Sylvain Mantha Inc
Harry Matheis (RIS), Matheis Financial Group
Johanne Messier (RIS), Desjardins
Coral Mihalick (RIS), BMO Nesbitt Burns
Judy Mills (RIS), Credential Asset Management
Jeffrey Mills (RIS), Northern Credit Union
Eric Monfils (RIS), Gestion financière Assante Ltée
Alexander Mood (RIS), Meridian Credit Union
Shahla Moodad (RIS), Vancity Credit Union
Michael Morgan-Schubert (RIS), Northern Wealth Management
Letlhogonolo Mzwinila (RIS)
Greg Nakano (RIS), G&F Financial Group
Patrick Nesci (RIS), Alterna Savings
Anh Ngo (RIS), Strategic Financial Consulting Inc
Vincent Nijjar (RIS)
Travis Oldfield (RIS), Meridian Credit Union
Chris Oliver (RIS), Nothern Credit Union
David Panchyshyn (RIS), Libro Credit Union
Michael Papotto (RIS), iA Clarington
Patti Passmore (RIS), FirstOntario Credit Union
Patrick Lim Pat Wah (RIPC)
Alpeshkumar Patel (RIS), Meridian Credit Union
Luc-Olivier Pelletier (RIS), Desjardins
Isabelle Petitjean (RIS), Desjardins
Simon Piche (RIS), SFL Gestion de patrimoine
Kelley Reid (RIS), Sterling Mutuals Inc.
Manon Robert (RIS) CATENA
Michelle Rogers (RIS)
Kevin Rous (RIS)
Daniel Roy (RIS), Praxis Wealth Management
Beattie Samantha (RIPC), Ernst and Young LLP
Luisa Santopietro (RIS), Meridian Credit Union
Jessica Sarrazin (RIS), Carte Wealth Management Inc
Scott Schram (RIS), Meridian Credit Union
Siegfried Schreve (RIS)
Samantha Seaman (RIS), HollisWealth
Bernier Sebastien (RIPC)
Paramish Seebooa (RIS), NEI Investments
David Semerak (RIS), Meridian Credit Union
Kusum Sen (RIS), Desjardins
Mohammad Seyrafi (RIS), Vancity Credit Union
Paul Shelestowsky (RIS), Meridian Credit Union
Sanjay Singla (RIS), BMO Global Asset Management
Haesun (Marie) Suk (RIS), Vancity Credit Union
Jean-Nagual Taillefer (RIS), Groupe Financier Praxis inc.
Peter J. Tessari (RIS), Alterna Savings
Laurie Therrien (RIS), Services Financiers Therrien & Alain Inc.
Fabien Thyard (RIS) Desjardins
Lance Toly (RIS), 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union
Christian Toussaint (RIS), Services Financiers Toussaint
Amanda Van Soelen (RIS), Royal City Asset Management
Jaysen Veloso (RIS), Sun Life
Deanna Venn (RIS), Affinity Credit Union
Andrew Wallace (RIS), NEI Investments
Shayne Williams (RIS), Noventis Credit Union
Sonya Willy (RIS), Unity Credit Union Limited
Ann Wong (RIS), CUSO Wealth Strategies Inc.
Tyler Wood (RIS), Meridan Credit Union
Scott Zhang (RIS), G&F Financial Group

It’s going to be a big year for responsible investment and sustainable finance in Canada. It’s also a big year for the RIA as we launch a new set of strategic priorities to guide our work for the next three years.

While our strategic priorities for 2021-24 largely represent a continuation and consolidation of the previous ones, there are some exciting new additions, such as the incorporation of the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals into our vision statement. This provides the RIA with a “North Star” to guide our activities and programming. Our vision statement is provided below:

The RIA aims to drive the growth and development of responsible investment (RI) in Canada’s retail and institutional markets, with a vision to align capital with sustainable and inclusive development as codified in the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Given Canada’s position as one of the largest energy producers in the world and its need to improve diversity & inclusion in business leadership, the RIA’s priority themes include a just energy transition and a diverse & inclusive business landscape in Canada. Stewardship and impact investing are recognized as important strategies for catalyzing sustainable and inclusive development.

Flowing from this vision statement, the RIA’s strategic priorities are summarized as follows:

• Educate: We will continue to promote education for the industry and the broader market.
• Catalyze: We will play a leadership role in catalyzing market development and promoting market integrity in Canada with respect to RI.
• Advocate: We will advance a policy/regulatory environment that is conducive to RI.
• Build: We will continue to build our brand and reputation as the hub and leading voice for RI in Canada.
• Grow: We will continue to focus on growing our financial and human capital resources to strengthen our capacity.

You can download and read the full strategic priorities document here.

Special thanks to our board of directors for their contributions to this important work.

We are pleased to share the Responsible Investment Association’s 2021 event calendar. Given the uncertainty around vaccinations and the safety of physical events, all 2021 events are being planned as virtual events. If things improve substantially later on in 2021, and physical events become safe, legal, and marketable, the RIA will consider hosting a few smaller physical events later in the year.

Additional webinars and virtual events will be added, but we wanted to share our calendar of planned events so you can save the dates and plan accordingly. We will follow up to provide more details in the new year.

Congratulations to Canada’s newest recipients of the RIA’s financial designations in recognition of expertise in responsible investing. View a full list of RIA-Certified individuals here.

Learn more about the RIA’s training and certifications here.

Deanne Anderson (RIS), Thrive Wealth Management
Sina Asgari (RIS), G&F Financial Group
Aanu Balogun (RIS), Conexus Credit Union
Alexandre Bissonnette (RIS), Financière Banque Nationale
Maggy Bissonnette (RIS), Desjardins
David Blackburn (RIS), Sudbury Credit Union
Maryse Boudreault (RIS), Desjardins
Rene Boudreault (RIS), St. Cyr and Associates
Jenny Boudrias (RIS), Desjardins
Philippe Boulay (RIS), Services financiers Philippe Boulay inc.
Jordan Brohman (RIS), Libro Credit Union
Sheri Brunton (RIS), Libro Credit Union
Steven Camele (RIS), Gulf and Fraser Insurance Services LTD.
Terry Campbell (RIS), Connect First Wealth
David Chan (RIS), G&F Financial Group
Patrice Charbonneau (RIS), Fianciere Banque Nationals
Francis Cheng (RIS), Raymond James
Raoul Chopra (RIPC)
Tammy Collins (RIS), UNI Coopération financière
Geoff Cook (RIS), Connect First Wealth
Isabelle Cote (RIS), Desjardins
Simon-Pierre Cote (RIS), Pierre.A.Coté & Associés inc.
Daniel Cyr (RIS), Patrimoine Hollis
Sébastien Desjardins (RIS), GCF Pro
Guillaume Desjardins-Tessier (RIS), Raymond James Ltd.
Suzanne Dionne (RIS)
Tom Du (RIPC)
Stephanie Ducharme (RIS), Desjardins
Mohamed Emara (RIS), Edward Jones
David Francoeur (RIS), Desjardins
Jean-François Fournier (RIS), Desjardins
Daniel Frenza (RIS), Frenza Cabinet Conseil
Richard Gaudet (RIS), UNI Coopération financière
Garret Gildersleeve (RIS), Island Savings Wealth Management
Gene Goral (RIS), Ensemble Wealth Management
Jessica Grasso (RIS), Investment Planning Counsel
Simon Hamel (RIS)
Danalie Huard (RIS), Desjardins
Dean Johnson (RIS), Connect First Wealth
Ryan Kurtz (RIS), Courts Financial Group
Julie Lampron (RIS), Desjardins
Claude Landry (RIS), Desjardins
Nadine Léger (RIS), UNI Coopération financière
Frédéric Lemmel (RIS), Financière Banque Nationale
Sara Lima (RIS), Envision Financial
Marsharee Lindsay (RIS), ACU
Éliane Longchamps (RIS), Desjardins
Thomas Luccioni (RIS), Placements Manuvie
Amber Lundin (RIS) Meridian Credit Union
Joshua Mann (RIS), Kindred Credit Union
Amadeo Martinez Moya (RIS), HollisWealth
Brian McKechnie (RIS), Thrive Wealth Management
Matt McKenna (RIS), Scotia Wealth
Chris Mills (RIS), Raymond James Ltd.
Norman C. Moffatt (RIS), Libro Credit Union
Jade Montour (RIS), Desjardins
Purmanand Nilmadhub (RIS), SunLife
Dana Ostapowich (RIS), Conexus Credit Union
Catherine Paquet (RIS), Lafond Services Financiers
Scott Pountney (RIPC)
Milan Rabari (RIS), Conexus Credit Union
Yves Razafindrazaka (RIAC), Assante
Daniel Reshef (RIS)
Zaiba Riaf (RIS), G&F Financial Group
Sophie Rousseau (RIS), Desjardins
Joshua Rowland (RIPC), AGF Investments Inc.
Cherry Salaria (RIS), Conexus Credit Union
Jamie Sekine (RIS), IPC Investment Corporation
Anand Sharma (RIS), G&F Financial Group
Raymond Snoei (RIS), Manulife Securities
Edmond So (RIS)
Asha Srikanth (RIS), Investia Financial Services
Marcel Thibault (RIS), Marcel Thibault Services Financiers
Jason Topolnisky (RIS), Synergy Credit Union
Tanya Vellenoweth (RIS), Conexus Credit Union
G. Philip Viger (RIS), Connect First Wealth
Austin West (RIS), Synergy Credit Union
Haixin (Charlene) Xia (RIS), Conexus Credit Union