RIA Newsletter
February 2015
RIA News

 

RIA Conference: First 50 tickets $495! 

Early bird registration for the 2015 RIA Conference is now open. This year's conference takes place May 31st to June 2nd in beautiful Banff, Alberta. The first 50 tickets sold are only $495 each! Register here. Book hotel here. Be sure to attend the MountainView BBQ! More details available at www.riaconference.ca.

 

Canadian RI assets surpass $1 trillion

The RIA's 2015 Canadian RI Trends Report reveals that Canadian assets managed using environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria have surpassed $1 trillion. This reflects a remarkable increase of 68% in just two years. RI assets now account for 31% of the Canadian investment industry. Read the report here. 

 

RIA welcomes Wolverton Securities

The RIA is also pleased to welcome Wolverton Securities as an RIA Associate Member. 

"Wolverton Securities Ltd. is proud to have become one of the newest members of the RIA.  We are excited by the dynamic RI shift that both the financial industry and Wolverton Securities are experiencing. As we roll-out our RI division across Canada, we look forward to working with our current RI Advisors, and those who wish to join us, in developing the RI firm in the country." - Richard Butterworth, CEO, Wolverton.

RIA welcomes Genus Capital Management

We are pleased to welcome Genus Capital Management as an RIA Associate Member. 

 

"Genus introduced its first ESG portfolios in 1994 and has significant expertise in this area. What differentiates Genus in the world of ESG investing is that we exclude any investment in companies involved in fossil fuel extraction, processing and transportation. Our fossil free strategies are the most robust in Canada. This makes it easier for climate conscious investors to steer their investments away from companies that contribute to climate change and pollution, while matching their investment strategy and financial interests with their values."  - Genus Capital Management. More here.

 

RIA guest blog

The RIA's new guest blog has been generating a lot of interest! We've recently published numerous insightful articles written by RI industry thought leaders. Check out the blog here. We invite RI professionals to submit an article. If you wish to submit an article, please send your piece to Dustyn Lanz: dustyn@riacanada.ca. 


Canada's newest certified RI advisors
Congrats to the RIA's newest certified advisors! Jackie Ramler of Raymond James, Carol Smith of Desjardins Financial Security, and Kevin Murdoch of RBC Dominion Securities are the latest recipients of Canada's Responsible Investment Advisor Certification (RIAC). Read more about certification here and here. 
In This Issue
RIA Launch Party Photos
Over 100 RI professionals came out to celebrate the launch of the 2015 Canadian RI Trends Report. Check out the photos here.
Upcoming RI Events

Feb 26, Vancouver, BC

Feb 26, Vancouver, BC

Feb 26, Vancouver, BC

Feb 27, Vancouver, BC

March 4, Edmonton, AB

March 5, Calgary, AB

May 31-June 2, Banff, AB

Canada's RI Week 2015
June 1-5. Details TBA
RI Industry and ESG News 

 

New retail impact investment product from OikoCredit and MSCU

Mennonite Savings and Credit Union (MSCU) and Oikocredit Canada have teamed up to launch the Oikocredit Global Impact GIC. More.

 

NEI and Desjardins Investments announce ban on cluster munitions 

Two of Canada's leaders in responsible investing (RI), have announced they are banning investment in companies that manufacture cluster munitions. More.

 

Canadian RI funds 2014 Q4 performance results

Canadian RI funds performed strongly again in Q4 2014. Read the highlights here. View the complete, fund-by-fund spreadsheet here.

 

Now BP and Shell will consider the cost of climate change when doing business

BP and Shell will support shareholder resolutions calling for information about how climate change could affect their business. More. 

 

Responsible investments good for advisor arsenal

Stephen Whipp, financial advisor with Wolverton Securities, is interviewed by Wealth Professional magazine, discussing the trend and value of responsible investment. More. 

 

Corporate Knights 'Global 100'
Corporate Knights has released the results for the 2015 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World index. More.

Greenhouse gas emissions data on 'Global 500' companies
New Thomson Reuters report analyzes how the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the world's 500 largest companies have evolved since 2010. More.

First Nations launch court challenge against B.C. over Northern Gateway
First Nations are taking the B.C. government to court in an attempt to strike down an agreement that gave Ottawa authority over the Enbridge Northern Gateway project. More. 
RI Research & Analysis

SHARE: Should investors demand better disclosure on political spending?
New report from SHARE explores how Canadian corporations engage in political spending to influence public policy process. More. 

Sustainalytics: 10 for 2015 - Generating value in a fragile market
New Sustainalytics report offers a macro level view of how global economic decisions relate to ESG trends and a micro view of ESG risks & opportunities at 10 firms. More.

MSCI's ESG trends to watch in 2015
MSCI report says investors plan to intensify their scrutiny of directors' qualifications, increase exposure to clean energy, and look to future infrastructure projects that defend against extreme weather. Summary here. Full report here.

Towers Watson: Fossil fuels: Exploring the stranded assets debate
New paper from Towers Watson aims to help investors assess the issues and provides a framework for developing a pragmatic response to fossil fuel investment. More.

OECD: Social impact investment: Building the evidence base

New OECD report provides an overview of social impact investment globally. More. 
Viewpoints

Deb Abbey: Catching the next wave

RIA CEO Deb Abbey discusses how financial advisors are using impact investments increasingly to attract new clients and expand existing relationships. Read here.

 

Eugene Ellmen: Investing in solidarity, not discord

OikoCredit Canada Director Eugene Ellmen discusses a new investment tool that enables individual investors in Ontario to combat global poverty. Read here.
 

Jeffrey Sachs: The responsible investor's guide to climate change

Noted economist Jeffrey Sachs says responsible investors should ask four key questions of the oil, gas, and coal companies in their portfolio. Read here. 
Submissions

If you wish to submit news to be considered for inclusion in the RIA newsletter, please contact Dustyn Lanz, RIA Director of Research & Communications: dustyn@riacanada.ca.