News:
Fewer but more focused shareholder proposals in 2009
Annual analysis from Shareholder Association for Research and Education ...MORE INFO (PDF)
Canada's chartered accountants urge companies to disclose climate impacts
SIO endorses new accounting guidelines ...MORE INFO
Meritas Mutual Funds honored at 2008 Canadian Investments Awards
SRI Fund prize goes to Meritas Jantzi Fund ...MORE INFO
Desjardins launches SocieTerra portfolios
71 per cent of Quebecers say they are interested in SRI ...MORE INFO
Events:
Can socially responsible investing help money managers with long-term financial performance?, Toronto, Feb. 19, 2009
A joint Toronto CFA Society/Social Investment Organization luncheon seminar exploring the topic of SRI and long-term return. Speakers are: Jordan Berger, Mercer; Michael Jantzi, Jantzi Research Inc.; Allen Goss, Ryerson University; and Brigid Barnett, CPP Investment Board. Moderator is Eugene Ellmen, Social Investment Organization. Tickets are $40 (Toronto CFA Society members) and $60 (non-members). To register, visit CFA/SIO Event.
Canadian Responsible Investment Conference, Winnipeg, June 7-9, 2009
Canada's leading conference on socially responsible investment will be held at the historic Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg. Network with your colleagues and hear national and international speakers provide the latest information and developments on socially responsible investment in Canada and around the globe. Organized by the Social Investment Organization. More information will be available soon at www.socialinvestment.ca.
Reports:
SRI Funds in Canada, December 31, 2008
This quarterly report reviews the performance of socially responsible mutual funds and retail venture funds to December 31, 2008. Click here (PDF).
The wages of social responsibility, the 2008 Moskowitz Prize-winning paper by Prof. Meir Statman
In this 2008 Moskowitz-prize winning paper, Prof. Meir Statman of Santa Clara University analyzes returns during 1992-2007 of stocks rated on social responsibility by KLD and stocks avoided for tobacco, alcohol, gambling, firearms, military, and nuclear operations. Prof. Statman finds the KLD tilt produces a return advantage while stock avoidance produces a return disadvantage relative to conventional investors. For more, click here (PDF).
Subprime trauma: Is ESG the medecine needed to cure the markets?
In this article, Dermot Foley of Inhance Investment Management argues that the lack of disclosure of mortgage backed securities allowed the social risk associated with predatory lending to move from being a company-specific and avoidable risk to a system wide financial risk impacting all investors. He proposes regulatory and shareholder engagement solutions to this problem. For more, click here.
VIDEO: Investment Executive begins a 12-part video series on socially responsible investing
Part 1: Investors and advisors turn to SRI. Part 2: Manufacturers winning distribution. Available from Investment Executive TV. For more click here.