Category: News

TORONTO – October 30, 2019 – The vast majority of Canadian investors are concerned about single-use plastic in their portfolios, says a new survey from the Responsible Investment Association (RIA). 

The 2019 RIA Investor Opinion Survey, which is based on an Ipsos poll of 1,004 individual investors in Canada, found that 82% of respondents believe it is important for companies in their investment portfolio to reduce plastic waste. 

The survey also found most investors view single-use plastic as financially material: 70% believe companies that reduce plastic waste from their products and packaging will be better long-term investments and 58% believe companies continuing to rely on single-use plastics in their products or packaging will suffer a reputational decline.

Most investors recognize plastic-waste reduction presents opportunities: 75% of respondents agreed that they would like a portion of their investment portfolio to be invested in companies that are providing solutions to reducing plastic waste.

The survey, sponsored by AGF Investments Inc. (AGF) and Desjardins Group, also shows 79% of respondents would like their financial services provider to inform them about responsible investment (RI) options. However, only 23% of respondents have been asked by their provider if they are interested in RI. 

“The market has spoken,” said Dustyn Lanz, CEO of the RIA. “Canadian investors want companies to step up their efforts on plastic waste, and they want their advisors to help them with responsible investing.” Lanz added, “We’ve reached a point where having knowledge of responsible investing is simply table stakes for investment professionals seeking to earn clients’ business.” 

“As a leader in the development of responsible investing initiatives, we are pleased to learn that Canadian investors want to know more about options for investing in companies committed to improving returns for shareholders and society at large,” said Martin Grosskopf, Vice-President and Portfolio Manager, AGF. “As the linkage between specific environmental issues such as plastic waste and business risks becomes better understood, investors are looking for real opportunities to connect their interest in improving environmental outcomes with returns,” added Grosskopf.

Highlights
Interest in RI has grown since last year’s survey, while the desire for RI information holds steady.

• 72% of 2019 respondents expressed interest in RI, up from 60% in 2018. Knowledge continues to lag interest. However, 72% of respondents know little or nothing about RI, an improvement from 81% in 2018.
• 79% of respondents would like their financial services provider to inform them about RI options. However, only 23% of respondents have been asked by their provider if they are interested in RI.
• Overall, 26% of respondents said they currently own responsible investments. Young people are at the forefront of RI ownership, with 36% of respondents aged 18-34 owning RI, compared to 18% among those 55+.
• 82% of respondents believe it is important for companies in their investment portfolio to reduce plastic waste. 75% of respondents would like to invest in solutions to reduce plastic waste.
• 58% believe companies continuing to rely on single-use plastics in their products or packaging will incur a reputational decline.
• 70% believe companies that reduce plastic waste from their products and packaging will be better long-term investments.

View the full report here: https://www.riacanada.ca/research/2019-ria-investor-opinion-survey/

About the Responsible Investment Association
The Responsible Investment Association (RIA) is a nonprofit, membership-based organization dedicated to the advancement of responsible investment in Canada. The RIA’s membership is composed of over 400 institutional investors and investment professionals who practice and support responsible investing. To learn more about the RIA, please visit www.riacanada.ca.

Media Contacts

Nick Buccheri
Manager, Communications
Responsible Investment Association
+1 416-461-6042

Amanda Marchment
Director, Corporate Communications
AGF Investments Inc.
416-865-4160

Join us for a glass of wine to celebrate the launch of the 2019 RIA Investor Opinion Survey, Canada’s annual survey of retail investor perspectives on responsible investing.

This year’s survey includes new insights into Canadian investors’ perspectives on plastic in their portfolios. Registration is open for Launch Events in Vancouver, Toronto, Montréal, and Quebec City at the links below. Stay tuned for more!

Toronto | October 29, 2019

Time: 5:00PM to 8:00PM (ET)
Location: Montecito, 299 Adelaide Street W.
Speakers: Dustyn Lanz (RIA), Martin Grosskopf (AGF)
Register Now

Montréal | October 30, 2019

Time: 5:00PM to 7:00PM (ET)
Location: Espace CDPQ, 3 Place Ville Marie
Speakers: Mary Robinson (RIA), More TBD
Register Now

Vancouver | November 5, 2019

Time: 4:00PM to 6:00PM (PT)
Location: Shangri-La Vancouver, 1128 W Georgia St.
Speakers: Dustyn Lanz (RIA), Ian Robertson (RIA Chair), Hyewon Kong (AGF)
Register Now

Quebec City | November 5, 2019

Time: 5:00PM to 7:00PM (ET)
Location: Hôtel Plaza Québec, 3031, boul. Laurier
Speakers: Mary Robinson (RIA), More TBD
Register Now

Employer: Responsible Investment Association (RIA)
Location: Downtown Toronto
Hours: Full-time
Tentative start date: October/November, 2019
Application deadline: Interested parties should apply ASAP 

About the RIA

The Responsible Investment Association (RIA) is Canada’s industry association for responsible investment. RIA Members include asset managers, asset owners, advisors, and service providers who support the RIA’s goal of promoting the incorporation of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues into investment decisions. ESG issues are some of the most important drivers of change in the world economy today.

We currently have seven core staff members, and the Head of Operations & Programs will be the eighth person to join our growing team of investment professionals who are helping to create positive societal change in the investment industry.

Position Overview

As responsible investment is growing rapidly in Canada and globally, we are expanding to introduce the role of Head of Operations & Programs. Reporting to the CEO, you will provide leadership and oversight for diverse business activities, as well as program management of the organization’s professional development initiatives.

As a member of the senior management team, you will lead a team of dedicated professionals to drive extensive and sustainable growth in a startup-style environment. In this role, you will help to strengthen the RIA’s capacity to execute its five strategic priorities for driving the growth and development of responsible investing in Canada’s retail and institutional markets.

Key Accountabilities

Operations

• Plan and monitor the day-to-day running of the business and annual workflow cycle to ensure smooth progress towards organizational objectives.
• Work closely with the CEO to establish, revise, and implement policies that promote best practices, organizational culture and vision.
• Lead employees to encourage maximum performance, engagement and development.
• Manage relationships/agreements with external vendors/partners.
• Participate in board committee work, coordinating work flow and liaising with committee members.
• Oversee projects to ensure their successful delivery, on time and on budget.
• Ensure that the organization runs in compliance with established regulations.

Professional Development Programs

• Oversee the RIA’s professional development programs, including certification, course updates and development, CE credits, and CE content curation.
• Strategize, implement, maintain and grow professional development programs and initiatives.
• Plan and develop scope, deliverables, required resources, work plan, budget, and timing for new and existing professional development initiatives.
• Develop assessment protocols for program governance, evaluation, and improvement.
• Maintain organizational standards of satisfaction, quality, and performance.
• Oversee and coordinate program staff, ensuring program goals are reached.
• Manage budget and funding channels for maximum productivity.

Key Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in business or relevant field is required. Graduate degree would be an asset.
• CFA, ID.D, FSA, RIPC, and SIPC designations would be an asset.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant work experience, with at least 2 years of proven operations leadership experience managing a multi-disciplinary team of direct reports, preferably in the investment industry.
• Demonstrable knowledge of the investment industry is essential; knowledge of responsible investment would be an asset.
• Experience working with boards of directors would be an asset.
• Bilingualism (French and English) would be an asset.

What You’ll Need To Succeed

• You are passionate about societal issues such as sustainable development, human rights, diversity, good corporate governance, etc.
• You are a respected leader who is sought out for opinions and counsel.
• You have a strong bias for action and exemplary work ethics. You commit fully to stretch goals and are dedicated to achieving the strategic direction of the organization.
• You have sound knowledge of project management and delegation.
• You are a collaborator who builds consensus and is adept at resolution management.
• You are agile and resourceful in managing new and ambiguous professional situations.
• You have executive presence and highly developed written and oral communication skills.
• You shift easily between hands-on, day-to-day operations and strategic thinking.

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.
• Three weeks of paid vacation, plus the RIA office is closed between December 24th and January 1st which amounts to a total of four weeks of vacation per year.
• Work in a bright, modern office space in downtown Toronto with nearby access to public transit.
• Be part of a small team of investment 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, “Head of Operations 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 help you to succeed in this role.

Data provided by Fundata shows that 75% of Canadian RI funds outperformed their average asset class return within the second quarter of 2019, and nearly three-quarters of RI funds outperformed over the one-year period ending June 30, 2019.

A majority of RI funds performed well over longer time periods, highlighting the long-term value of incorporating environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment decisions. Nearly two-thirds of RI funds outperformed their average asset class return over three and five years, while 58% of RI funds outperformed over the 10-year period.

Download Q2 2019 Highlights.

RIA Members can download the full report by logging in to their account.

August 6, 2019 – Toronto – The Responsible Investment Association (RIA) is pleased to announce that FÉRIQUE Fund Management has joined the RIA as an Associate Member.

“We are delighted to welcome FÉRIQUE Fund Management as an Associate Member of the Responsible Investment Association,” said Dustyn Lanz, Chief Executive Officer of the RIA. “FÉRIQUE Fund Management is a longtime supporter of responsible investment and shareholder engagement, and we look forward to working with them to grow responsible investment in Canada.”

The RIA is Canada’s industry association dedicated to advancing responsible investment, which refers to the incorporation of ESG factors into the selection and management of investments. RIA membership has grown rapidly in recent years as investors increasingly seek investments that align with their values and manage exposure to ESG risks and opportunities. According to research published by the RIA, $2.1 trillion are invested responsibly in Canada, equal to more than 50% of professionally managed AUM in Canada.

“In 2006, FÉRIQUE Fund Management developed its Responsible Investment Policy on exercising FÉRIQUE Funds’ proxy voting rights, making it one of Quebec’s first mutual fund companies to address the issue of responsible investment,” said Louis Lizotte, Vice President, Investments at FÉRIQUE Fund Management. “This first initiative led FÉRIQUE Fund Management to several others over the years. Joining the Responsible Investment Association was a natural progression, as it falls in line with FÉRIQUE Fund Management’s investment approach and its unitholders’ concerns with issues related to ESG factors. It is, therefore, with great enthusiasm that we are entering this affiliation.”

Founded on October 12th, 1999, FÉRIQUE Fund Management is the manager of the FÉRIQUE Funds, launched in 1974 by the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. It is the only non-profit mutual fund company in Canada whose sole purpose is to serve the interests of engineers, engineering graduates and their families. FÉRIQUE Funds have more than $2.8 billion in assets under management and over 22,000 unitholders as of June 30th, 2019.

About Responsible Investment Association
The Responsible Investment Association (RIA) is a nonprofit, membership-based organization dedicated to the advancement of responsible investment in Canada. The RIA’s membership is composed of over 300 institutional investors and investment professionals who practice and support responsible investing. To learn more about the RIA, please visit www.riacanada.ca.

Media Enquiries
Nick Buccheri, Manager, Communications and Digital Media, RIA, +1 416-461-6042

 

July 25, 2019 – Toronto – The Responsible Investment Association (RIA) has launched the RI Marketplace, an online tool for investors and market participants who are seeking responsible investment (RI) advice, investment options and related services.

The RI Marketplace is the first platform of its kind in Canada, providing a user-friendly online directory of RI products and services available to Canadian retail and institutional investors. RI products and services are featured in three main categories:

• Investment Products: More than 150 mutual funds, ETFs, GICs, pooled products, separately managed accounts, and segregated funds dedicated to RI.
• Investment Advice: An interactive map of financial advisors from across Canada and listings of financial institutions and asset managers with RI expertise.
• Service Providers: Research companies, consultants, engagement services, lawyers, insurance, custodians and others with RI services.

“It is now easier than ever to be a responsible investor, regardless of account size,” said Dustyn Lanz, CEO of the RIA. “We’re thrilled to make responsible investing more accessible to Canadian investors and market participants, and we will continue to develop the RI Marketplace further as the market grows and evolves.”

Canadian investors are more interested in responsible investing than ever. Research suggests that 81% of Canadian retail investors would like their financial services provider to inform them about responsible investments that are aligned with their values and 87% of Canadian institutional investors are expecting moderate to high levels of growth in RI over the next two years.

In addition to the RI Marketplace, the RIA has launched a digital magazine to provide expert perspectives on practical topics related to responsible investing ranging from timely ESG news to op-eds on industry trends.

The RIA partnered with local web development firm, PixelCarve, to develop and deliver the new website and its core features including the RI Marketplace.

About the Responsible Investment Association
The Responsible Investment Association (RIA) is a nonprofit, membership-based organization dedicated to the advancement of responsible investment in Canada. The RIA’s membership is composed of over 300 institutional investors and investment professionals who practice and support responsible investing. To learn more about the RIA, please visit www.riacanada.ca.

Media Enquiries
Nick Buccheri, Manager, Communications and Digital Media, RIA, +1 416-461-6042

July 16, 2019 – Toronto – The Responsible Investment Association (RIA) is pleased to announce that Impact International Secured Investments (Impact ISI) has joined the RIA as an Associate Member.

“We are pleased to welcome Impact ISI as an Associate Member of the RIA,” said Dustyn Lanz, CEO of the Responsible Investment Association. “By joining the RIA, Impact ISI is helping to advance responsible investment in Canada. We look forward to working with them to support the incorporation of environmental, social and governance factors into Canadians’ investment decisions.”

The RIA is Canada’s industry association dedicated to advancing responsible investment, which refers to the incorporation of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into the selection and management of investments. RIA membership has grown rapidly in recent years as investors increasingly seek investments that align with their values and manage exposure to ESG risks and opportunities. According to research published by the RIA $2.1 trillion are invested responsible in Canada, equal to more than 50% of professionally managed AUM in Canada.

“Our firm specializes in the full facilitation of green and socially responsible bonds, while recognizing the ongoing need for lower risk responsible investment projects,” said L.T. Oliver, Managing Director of Impact ISI. “We are looking forward to working with RIA members to advance our goals in Canada and Internationally.”

Impact International Secured Investments specializes in the full facilitation of green bond issues, as well as in secured green bonds, with a threshold from $50 Million up to $500 Million. Impact ISI has accumulated over $50 Billion in hard assets with additional vetted assets available when needed.

About Responsible Investment Association
The Responsible Investment Association (RIA) is a Canadian network of more than 300 institutional investors and investment professionals who practice and support responsible investing. The RIA’s institutional members collectively manage more than $12 trillion in assets. To learn more about the RIA, please visit www.riacanada.ca.

Media Enquiries
Nick Buccheri, Manager, Communications and Digital Media, RIA, +1 416-461-6042

On May 29, 2019, the RIA held its Annual General & Special Meeting in Toronto.

The Annual General & Special Meeting had an in-person turn-out of 35. For the first time, in advance of the AGM the RIA was pleased to offer an online remote voting option for members via service provider ClickBallot. 110 total votes were cast, including 107 votes submitted by remote ballot, reflecting total member participation across Canada of 31.8%.

All AGM ballot items were passed, including the ordinary resolution to amend the current RIA bylaws to further formalize the process around nominations to the Board. As well, current RIA Chair Ian Robertson was re-elected for another 3-year term to serve as a Board Director. For further information, members can refer to the draft AGM minutes here.

Immediately following the AGM, the RIA Board met to formalize the re-appointment of Chair, Vice-Chair and Treasurer roles, as well as the new appointment of Lisa Becker in the role of RIA Secretary. RIA Board Executive positions are appointed for a 1-year term only and Directors may only serve in one Executive role for a maximum of 3 years. Below is a list of the current RIA Board Executive as well as a link here to the full list of the Board of Directors.

Chair – Ian Robertson, VP, Director, Portfolio Manager, Odlum Brown Ltd, Vancouver
Vice-Chair – Roger Beauchemin, President & CEO, Addenda Capital, Montreal
Treasurer – Alicja Brown, Investment Advisor, Remy Brown Investment Group / CIBC Wood Gundy, Edmonton
Secretary – Lisa Becker, COO & CCO, University of Toronto Asset Management Corporation, Toronto

Also following the AGM, RIA hosted the ESG Afterwork networking event “Women on Boards: An Update Since Comply or Explain Gender Disclosure Policy Came Into Effect,” sponsored by TD Bank. Attendees heard from TD’s Senior Economist Leslie Preston, who delivered an update on the impact of comply or explain gender disclosure policies. Photos of the event can be seen here.

For more information on TD’s research, see TD’s recent report: “Corporate Canada is Getting on Board”.

On May 29th, 2019 the RIA partnered with TD Bank for a night of cocktails and expert insights on the state of women on boards in Canada. We were pleased to welcome TD’s Senior Economist Leslie Preston, who discussed key findings from TD’s recent report “Corporate Canada is Getting on Board“. This event took place immediately following the RIA AGM.

Over 1,350 financial professionals have either earned an RI designation or are in line to earn one from the Responsible Investment Association

July 9, 2019 – Toronto – The Responsible Investment Association (RIA) is pleased to announce an educational partnership with its new member, Aviso Wealth. Through this partnership, the RIA and Aviso will provide responsible investment (RI) training to 500 financial advisors and other professionals working in Canada’s credit union system. Learners will enroll in the Responsible Investment Specialist (RIS) program, which provides education on Canada’s retail RI market. 

Following this announcement, more than 1,350 financial professionals have either earned an RI designation or are in line to earn one from the RIA. 

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Aviso to support RI training in Canada’s credit union system,” said Dustyn Lanz, CEO of the Responsible Investment Association. “Canadian investors are increasingly interested in environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, and they want their advisors to be knowledgeable about RI. Educational partnerships like this are going to help catalyze the next wave of growth in Canada’s retail RI market.” 

“It’s an honour to partner with the RIA on this important advisor education initiative,” says David Bullock, SVP, CU Wealth Distribution for Aviso Wealth. “We look forward to promoting greater RI expertise among advisors in our network, so they in turn can guide credit union members toward appropriate RI solutions tailored to their wealth needs.”

As the RIA announced in April, other institutions are also committing to RI education. Desjardins recently committed to putting 500 of its representatives through the RIS program, while Vancity has enrolled more than 100 of its representatives. Assiniboine, Kindred, Libro, Servus, and other credit unions are also putting their investment teams through the RIS program, as a growing number of their members are seeking to align their portfolios with their values.

In addition to the RIS program, the RIA also offers the Responsible Investment Advisor Certification (RIAC) and Responsible Investment Professional Certification (RIPC) programs, which provide training in RI activities such as integrating ESG issues into financial models.

Learn more about RI training at riacanada.ca/training-certification.

About the Responsible Investment Association 

The Responsible Investment Association (RIA) is a national membership association dedicated to advancing responsible investment (RI) in Canada. RIA members include asset management firms, financial institutions, investment advisors, service providers and asset owners such as foundations, pension funds and universities who practice and support RI. To learn more about the RIA, please visit www.riacanada.ca.

Media Enquiries 

Nick Buccheri, RIA Manager, Communications & Digital Media
+1 416-461-6042