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Canadian Responsible Investments Surpass $2 Trillion

For the first time, a majority of Canadian assets are incorporating environmental, social and corporate governance issues

TORONTO – October 24, 2018 – The 2018 Canadian Responsible Investment Trends Report reveals that responsible investment (RI) is continuing to experience rapid growth in Canada. The biennial report, released today by the Responsible Investment Association (RIA), tracks investments that incorporate environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) criteria.

According to the latest available data, assets in Canada managed using one or more RI strategies increased from $1.51 trillion at the end of 2015 to $2.13 trillion as at December 31, 2017. This represents a 41.6% increase in RI assets under management over two years.

Responsible investing now accounts for 50.6% of Canadian assets under management, up from 37.8% two years earlier. This growing market share shows that Canadian investors increasingly view ESG factors as important components of investment decisions.

“Surpassing the fifty percent threshold marks a major milestone in the history and development of responsible investing in Canada,” said Dustyn Lanz, CEO of the Responsible Investment Association. “Investors in Canada and around the world increasingly recognize that a company is more than just the numbers, and incorporating ESG factors into investment decisions can help to identify resilient, well managed companies that outperform over the long term.”

“We’re very proud to have NEI Investments sponsor the RI Trends Report,” said Fred Pinto, SVP, Head of Asset Management at Aviso Wealth. “The rapid growth of RI assets affirms what we’ve believed for years – that responsible investing has a place in the investment mainstream and that Canadians are, in fact, responsible investors at their core.”

Highlights

$2.13 trillion in RI assets under management as at December 31 st , 2017.
41.6% growth in RI assets over a two-year period.
RI represents 50.6% of Canada’s investment industry, up from 37.8% two years ago.
Retail RI mutual fund assets increased from $8.26 billion to $11.07 billion, or 34% over two years.
The most prominent RI strategies by AUM are: (1) ESG integration, (2) shareholder engagement, (3) norms-based screening and (4) negative screening.
Survey respondents reported the top four reasons for considering ESG factors are: (1) managing risk, (2) improving returns over time, (3) meeting client/beneficiary demand, and (4) fulfilling fiduciary duty.
87% of respondents expect moderate to high levels of growth in RI over the next two years.

View the full report here: https://www.riacanada.ca/research/2018-canadian-ri-trends-report/

About the Canadian RI Trends Report
The Responsible Investment Association (RIA) publishes the Canadian Responsible Investment
Report on a biennial basis to understand and assess the characteristics of responsible
investment in Canada. Researchers collected survey data from 106 investment managers and asset owners. This data was supplemented by publicly-available sources such as annual reports. The researchers avoided double counting by subtracting approximately $673 billion in RI assets which overlapped between external managers and funds of funds.

About the Responsible Investment Association
The Responsible Investment Association (RIA) is Canada’s industry association dedicated to 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 incorporation of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into the selection and management of investments can provide superior risk adjusted returns and positive societal impact.

Media Enquiries
Nick Buccheri,
Manager, Communications & Digital Media
Responsible Investment Association
+1 416-461-6042

Kira Smylie
Media Manager
Aviso Wealth
T 416.933.6263
M 416.209.2761

From the UK to Australia to Canada, Responsible Investment Weeks Highlight Growing Demand for More Sustainable Investing

October 15, 2018 – Individual investors around the world are increasingly seeking out responsible investments, wanting their money to be aligned with their values and putting their savings to work building a healthy future, say responsible investment organizations spanning the globe.

October sees a month of global activity to highlight and celebrate the mounting demand for responsible and ethical investment – from individual investors through to large institutions – that is shifting financial markets to align with the great sustainability challenges of our time.

A significant shift is underway in financial markets globally, with more than 25% of all professionally managed investments being committed to responsible investing, according to research conducted by the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance.ⁱ

The demand from individual investors is becoming an ever-greater driver of this growth, with more and more clients asking their banks, pension funds, investment managers and financial advisers to align their finances with their own personal values.

In recognition of this, three major markets will be celebrating responsible investment weeks this month to raise awareness and celebrate this growing demand – Good Money Week in the UK, RI Week in Canada, and National Ethical Investment Week in Australia, among a number of other country level activities in Italy, France and Spain.

These weeks will be highlighting how investors play a critical role in shifting the finance sector to drive capital to build a better world whilst delivering strong investment returns.

In Canada, the Responsible Investment Association of Canada will hold Responsible Investment Week from October 22nd to 26th. A 2017 survey revealed that 77% of individual investors in Canada are interested in responsible investing while a staggering 73% know little or nothing about it. In Canada, this is increasingly known as the ‘RI awareness gap.’ “Raising awareness among the investing public is essential to the development and full adoption of responsible investing,” said Dustyn Lanz, CEO of RIA Canada. “We need to close the gap between investor interest and knowledge of RI, and these international campaigns will play an important role in doing that.”

In the UK, UKSIF has just held Good Money Week. Simon Howard, CEO of UKSIF said ”For the first time ever our Good Money Week polling shows that the British are as concerned that their money makes a positive difference, as they are that it makes a return. In every previous year the most popular answer has been ‘It’s all about the money’. Things are changing in the UK and around the world.”

Australia is also seeing a rapid increase in the uptake of responsible investment, and will be celebrating National Ethical Investment Week from October 15-19 with events held across various locations. Recent polling of fund managers found by Responsible Investment Association Australasia found that demand had risen to be one of the top drivers of the growth in responsible investing. 2017 research shows 92% of Australians expect their pensions and other investments to be invested responsibly and ethically.

“The vast majority of Australians want their pensions invested responsibly, such as through investing in companies that build clean energy infrastructure or avoiding investments that can harm communities such as weapons manufacturing, and RIAA is happy to support National Ethical Investment Week” said Simon O’Connor, CEO of RIAA. “As investors, our job is to deliver better outcomes for our clients, which must include consideration of their preferences in ESG and ethical issues. This is an important wake up call for the finance sector, but also presents a great opportunity for investors to achieve deeper engagement with clients.”

Speaking on behalf of the GSIA, Simon Howard of UKSIF said: ”GSIA members know demand is growing worldwide and it is proving to be a significant driver of the uptake of responsible investment. We are delighted to flag global activity by members in this period and we hope that there can be more alignment in the future: the challenges we face are global, let’s meet them together.”

AUSTRALIA
National Ethical Investment Week, 15-19 October
www.ethicaladviserscoop.org/ethical-investment-week.html

CANADA
Responsible Investment (RI) Week, 22-26 October
www.riacanada.ca/riweek18/

UK
Good Money Week
29th September- 5th October
http://goodmoneyweek.com/

CONTACTS
Simon O’Connor, RIAA
Via Carly Hammond
carlyh@responsibleinvestment.org

Simon Howard, UKSIF and GSIA
0207 749 9950
Simon.howard@uksif.org

Nick Buccheri, RIA Canada
+1(416) 461-6042 x5

ⁱThe UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association, Responsible Investment association of Canada, and the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia are all members of the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance.

The GSIA is a collaboration of membership-based sustainable investment organizations around the world. The GSIA’s mission is to deepen the impact and visibility of sustainable investment organizations at the global level. Our vision is a world where sustainable investment is integrated into financial systems and the investment chain and where all regions of the world have coverage by vigorous membership based institutions that represent and advance the sustainable investment community.

Our research on the size of the global sustainable investment market is at http://www.gsi-alliance.org/members-resources/trends-report-2016/

Busting the RI Performance Myth by RIA CEO Dustyn Lanz (Investment Executive)

Despite the outdated yet persistent myth to the contrary, incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into investment decisions is a winning formula for investors.

Analyses from leading asset managers, research firms and universities have shown that responsible investments usually meet or exceed the performance of traditional investments at the index, fund and company levels. RIA CEO Dustyn Lanz reviews the recent performance record of responsible investments and what’s behind the numbers.

Read the full article.

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).

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 www.riacanada.ca.

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