News Archives - Page 20 of 22 - Responsible Investment Association

FTSE Russell Joins the RIA as an Associate Member

Toronto – September 27th, 2018 – The Responsible Investment Association (RIA) is pleased to announce that FTSE Russell has joined the RIA as an Associate Member.

“FTSE Russell is a longtime supporter of responsible investing internationally, and we are thrilled that they are joining the RIA to support the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues among Canadian market participants,” said Dustyn Lanz, CEO of the RIA. “We look forward to working with FTSE Russell to grow the adoption of responsible investing in 2018 and beyond.”

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.

“As a global index and data provider with nearly two decades of experience in sustainable investment, we actively participate in many of the leading global sustainable and responsible investment associations,” said Tony Campos, Director, ESG Product Management, FTSE Russell. “We are pleased to be a new Associate member of RIA in Canada and look forward to working together to drive sustainable investment even further onto the agenda in Canada.”

FTSE Russell is a global index provider creating and managing a wide range of indexes, data and analytic solutions to meet client needs across asset classes, style and strategies. As a founding signatory, FTSE Russell also helped develop the United Nations-backed Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).

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

CIBC Mellon Joins the RIA as an Associate Member

TORONTO – August 17, 2018 – CIBC Mellon and the Responsible Investment Association (“RIA”) are pleased to announce that CIBC Mellon has become an Associate Member of the RIA.

“We are very pleased to welcome CIBC Mellon as an Associate Member of the Responsible Investment Association,” said Dustyn Lanz, CEO of the RIA. “We applaud CIBC Mellon’s commitment to responsible investment, and we look forward to working with them to promote the adoption of RI in Canada.”

“As they execute their business strategies, many institutional investors today are considering the broader implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in their investment activities, in combination with traditional financial considerations,” said Janice Allen, Executive Director, Relationship Management, CIBC Mellon. “ESG focused investing has developed into a globally recognized choice for asset management. As we work to support our clients’ evolving asset servicing needs, we are excited to join many of CIBC Mellon’s clients as a member of the Responsible Investment Association (RIA), a leader in promoting the Canadian responsible investment industry.”

About CIBC Mellon
CIBC Mellon is a Canadian company exclusively focused on the investment servicing needs of Canadian institutional investors and international institutional investors into Canada. Founded in 1996, CIBC Mellon is 50-50 jointly owned by The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon) and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC). CIBC Mellon’s investment servicing solutions for institutions and corporations are provided in close collaboration with our parent companies, and include custody, multicurrency accounting, fund administration, recordkeeping, exchange-traded fund services, pension services, securities lending services, foreign exchange processing and settlement, and treasury services. As at June 30, 2018, CIBC Mellon had more than C$2 trillion of assets under administration on behalf of banks, pension funds, investment funds, corporations, governments, insurance companies, foreign insurance trusts, foundations and global financial institutions whose clients invest in Canada. CIBC Mellon is part of the BNY Mellon network, which as at June 30, 2018 had US$33.6 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration. CIBC Mellon is a licensed user of the CIBC trade-mark and certain BNY Mellon trade-marks, is the corporate brand of CIBC Mellon Global Securities Services Company and CIBC Mellon Trust Company, and may be used as a generic term to refer to either or both companies.

For more information, including CIBC Mellon’s latest knowledge leadership on issues relevant to institutional investors active in Canada, visit www.cibcmellon.com or follow the company on Twitter at @CIBCMellon.

Media Enquiries
Nick Buccheri, Manager, Communications and Digital Media, RIA, (416) 461-6042 x3
Jennifer Israel, Media Relations and Corporate Communications Manager, CIBC Mellon, (416) 643-6538

Growing Demand for Food a Meaty Issue for Investors by RIA CEO Dustyn Lanz (Investment Executive)

July 16, 2018
By Dustyn Lanz

“What’s for dinner?” For responsible investors, there’s a lot to digest behind that question. As the global population races toward 9.7 billion by 2050, demand for meat-based protein may reach unsustainable levels. According to data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global meat consumption has increased by 30% during the past 20 years and is estimated to grow by an additional 13% in the next decade.

But this growth poses significant environmental, social and governance (ESG) challenges, many of them due to practices associated with large-scale industrial livestock production or factory farming.

Read the full article.

RIA Governance Update

Tuesday, June 12th, 2018

Following the RIA’s AGM and board meeting on June 5th in Toronto, we are pleased to announce the addition of several new members of the RIA board of directors. We warmly welcome the following new board members:

Lisa Becker – Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Operating Officer, University of Toronto Asset Management
Milla Craig – Founder and President, Millani
Johnny Fansher – Financial Advisor, Johnny Fansher Financial
Kelly Gauthier – Managing Director, Impact Advisory, Purpose Capital

In addition, the board is pleased to announce the following additions to the Executive Committee:

Ian Robertson (Chair) – Vice President, Director & Portfolio Manager, Odlum Brown Limited
Roger J. Beauchemin (Vice Chair) – President and CEO, Addenda Capital

Jason Milne, Vice President of Corporate Governance and Responsible Investment with RBC GAM, has moved to the role of Secretary. And Alicja Brown, Investment Advisor with Remy Brown Investment Group of CIBC Wood Gundy, will remain as Treasurer.

We would also like to thank our outgoing board members for their service and contributions to the success of the RIA over the years:

Julie Desjardins – President, Desjardins & Associates
Karim Harji – Programme Director, Oxford Impact Measurement Programme

Introducing the RIA’s Strategic Priorities

The RIA has published its strategic priorities for driving the adoption of responsible investing in Canada. This document will act as a guide for management over the three-year period from 2018 to 2021.

The RIA’s 5 Strategic Priorities:

Market Education – Driving demand for responsible investments
Integration – Developing RI capacity of investment professionals
Advocacy – Shifting public policy and regulation
Brand & Reputation – Strengthening the RIA’s reputation as the hub and leading voice for RI in Canada
Capacity Building – Building the RIA’s financial and human capital resources

Download the full report here: RIA Strategic Priorities

Greenchip Financial Joins the RIA as a Supporting Member

TORONTO – April 19, 2018 – The Responsible Investment Association (“RIA”) is pleased to announce that Greenchip Financial (“Greenchip”) has joined the RIA as a Supporting Member.

“We are very pleased to welcome Greenchip to the Responsible Investment Association,” said Dustyn Lanz, CEO of the RIA. “Greenchip is a champion for sustainability-themed investing, and we look forward to working with them to engage and educate Canadian investors about the value of incorporating sustainability into investment decisions.”

“After a decade investing exclusively in companies whose products and services address sustainability challenges, we’re thrilled to join the Responsible Investment Association of Canada,” said John Cook, CEO of Greenchip Financial. “Capital allocation is crucial to building a more sustainable economy and the RIA is an important advocate and promoter for sustainable investing.”

Investment Association
The Responsible Investment Association (RIA) is Canada’s membership association for Responsible Investment (RI). Members include mutual fund companies, financial institutions, asset management firms, advisors, consultants, investment research firms, asset owners, individual investors and others interested in RI. Our members believe that the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into the selection and management of investments can provide superior risk adjusted returns and positive societal impact. To learn more about the RIA, please visit riacanada.ca.

About Greenchip Financial
Greenchip has been investing exclusively in the global environmental economy since 2007. We believe that a structural energy transition is underway, from fossil fuels to renewable energy, from energy inefficient processes to more efficient ones. Driven by resource scarcity and ecological limitations this transition will create both new risks and historic opportunities. We believe our sector focus combined with a proven value discipline is a logical path to superior investment returns.

Media Contact
Nick Buccheri, Communications Manager, RIA
John Cook, Greenchip Financial

First Calgary Financial Joins the RIA as an Associate Member

TORONTO – April 17, 2018 – The Responsible Investment Association (“RIA”) is pleased to announce that First Calgary Financial has become an Associate Member of the RIA.

“We are thrilled to welcome First Calgary Financial as an Associate Member of the Responsible Investment Association,” said Dustyn Lanz, CEO of the RIA. “Credit unions are playing an important role in promoting responsible investment in the retail market, and we look forward to working with First Calgary to grow responsible investing in Calgary and across the country.”

“’Making money make a difference’ is embedded in the culture of our best-in-class member-service teams,” said Hyder Hassan, Director of Investment Services with First Calgary. “By joining the RIA, we are committing and taking leadership to give our valued members the option to manage their money via environmental, social, and governance perspectives. We are thinking big, acting local, taking charge of our risk management approach, and making it easy to offer best-in-class financial planning solutions for our members.”

About First Calgary Financial
First Calgary Financial proudly serves Calgarians through 15 retail branches in the greater Calgary area. With a diverse and comprehensive array of investing options, First Calgary Financial provides members with the support they need to make investment decisions with confidence. First Calgary Financial offers socially responsible investment options with competitive returns, all while making a positive impact on communities and the environment.

Media Contacts
Nick Buccheri, Communications Manager, RIA: +1 416-461-6042
Megan Douglas, Brand & Communications Manager, First Calgary Financial: (403) 988-0903

Desjardins Becomes a Sustaining Member of the RIA

TORONTO – April 12, 2018 – The Responsible Investment Association (“RIA”) is pleased to announce that Desjardins Group has become a Sustaining Member of the RIA.

“As a longtime leader in responsible investing, Desjardins is a natural fit as a top-tier member of the RIA,” said Dustyn Lanz, CEO of the RIA. “We are keen to collaborate with Desjardins to strengthen our services in Quebec and promote responsible investing across Canada.”

The RIA is Canada’s industry association dedicated to advancing responsible investment. RIA Sustaining Members play a critical role in advancing responsible investment in Canada, providing leadership via the board of directors and a stable funding base to support the operations of the RIA.

“As a leader in responsible investments, Desjardins strongly believes in the importance of working on all levels to integrate environmental, social and governance factors into investment analysis and decision-making,” said Sébastien Vallée, Senior Manager of Investment Solutions division at Desjardins Group. “We are pleased to support the Responsible Investment Association and its efforts in promoting and advocating for a more sustainable approach to investment, for the benefit of both investors and communities.”

About Desjardins
Desjardins Group is the leading cooperative financial group in Canada and the fifth largest cooperative financial group in the world, with assets of $275,1 billion. It has been rated one of the Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt. To meet the diverse needs of its members and clients, Desjardins offers a full range of products and services to individuals and businesses through its extensive distribution network, online platforms and subsidiaries across Canada. Counted among the world’s strongest banks according to The Banker magazine, Desjardins has one of the highest capital ratios and credit ratings in the industry.

Media Contacts
Nick Buccheri, Communications Manager, RIA: +1 416-461-6042
Jacques Bouchard, Public relations, Desjardins Group, 1-866-866-7000, ext. 5557940

Thomson Reuters Join the RIA as a Sustaining Member

TORONTO – April 9, 2018 – The Responsible Investment Association (“RIA”) is pleased to announce that Thomson Reuters has become a Sustaining Member of the RIA.

“We’re excited to welcome Thomson Reuters as a Sustaining Member,” said Dustyn Lanz, CEO of the RIA. “We applaud and greatly appreciate their increased commitment to responsible investing. We look forward to working with Thomson Reuters to advance the integration of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) factors into Canadians’ investment decisions.”

“Responsible investing has entered the mainstream of financial services, with corporations now incentivized to make sustainability a priority component of their operating philosophy,’ said Patsy Doerr, Global Head, Corporate Responsibility and Inclusion, Thomson Reuters. “We are pleased to become a member of the RIA as it reaffirms Thomson Reuters commitment to promoting sustainable investing and to deliver solutions that facilitate it. We look forward to collaborating with the RIA both in Canada and globally.”

About Responsible Investment Association
The Responsible Investment Association (RIA) is Canada’s membership association for Responsible Investment (RI). Members include mutual fund companies, financial institutions, asset management firms, advisors, consultants, investment research firms, asset owners, individual investors and others interested in RI. Our members believe that the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into the selection and management of investments can provide superior risk adjusted returns and positive societal impact. To learn more about the RIA, please visit riacanada.ca.

About Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters is the world’s leading source of news and information for professional markets. Our customers rely on us to deliver the intelligence, technology and expertise they need to find trusted answers. The business has operated in more than 100 countries for more than 100 years. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges. For more information, visit www.thomsonreuters.com.

Media Contacts
Nick Buccheri, Communications Manager, +1 416-461-6042
Brian Bertsch, Public Relations Manager, +1-646-223-5985

Cybersecurity is a Growing Issue for Responsible Investors by RIA CEO Dustyn Lanz (Investment Executive)

March 26, 2018
By Dustyn Lanz

Cyber attacks appear to be growing increasingly brazen and devastating with each passing year, raising the cybersecurity risks facing anyone connected to the cloud. But cybersecurity is not just a technological issue; it’s a critical governance issue with major implications for your clients’ portfolios.

Read the full article.