Humanity is facing a complex array of distinct but intertwined crises—the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the climate disaster, inflation and ideological polarization. Our keynote speaker, Thomas Homer Dixon will help us examine these threats to global security and identify ways for organizations and societies to respond. Drawing on his most recent book, Commanding Hope, Dr. Homer-Dixon will share his vision for a reinvigorated idea of hope and its crucial role in creating the systemic, positive change we need. The keynote address will be followed by a moderated conversation with our Leaders Panel, where we will look at the role for investors as active protagonists in renewing the future. This keynote will be followed by a conversation with a Leaders Panel.

Following the keynote address is a moderated conversation with our Leaders Panel, where we will look at the role for investors as active protagonists in renewing the future.

The rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining are fundamental human rights. In recent years, there has been renewed attention around the importance of this right as an enabler of health and safety, diversity, equity and inclusion and the mitigation of forced and child labour. Companies around the world need to contend with growing investor expectations, disclosure requirements and laws, like mandatory human rights due diligence. Nevertheless, the global panorama of respect for labour rights, precarious work and inequality is not improving.

Rising housing costs in Canada have been accompanied by a surge in institutional investment in the multifamily rental market. The investments that pension funds, asset managers, private equity firms and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) make in residential real estate are coming under increasing scrutiny on the part of the general public, political leaders and regulatory bodies. While most Canadian institutional investors have responsible investment policies and incorporate ESG considerations into their investment decision-making, none have articulated an approach to addressing the reputational, regulatory and systemic risks in their housing portfolios.

This session will discuss investor efforts to address the adequate right to housing in their portfolios. It will explore a set of principles for responsible investment in housing developed by the Investors for Affordable Cities Project. It will profile efforts by institutional investors to advance housing affordability in their asset allocation and stewardship.

The transition to a net zero economy, and the production of new technologies, electric vehicles, and infrastructure will create unprecedented demand for critical minerals from the global mining sector. Large scale mining projects have consistently been shown to contribute to environmental, social, and human rights issues, and the scale of production required to meet the projected industry demand will amplify these challenges. This session will explore the unique role and opportunities for investors to promote innovation, sustainability, safety, and equity in the mining sector. 

The sands of pension and corporate law and policy are shifting under our feet this year as the federal government pursues a variety of economic changes which will affect investment, economic and social outcomes. Big controversies over things like inflation-fighting measures, mergers, and protecting pensions are challenging the old economic policy playbook, and changing the rules for investment and innovation for all of us. So where is the battle over inflation headed, what’s next for competition law, and what will happen with the fight over pension beneficiary super-priority in insolvencies as Bill C-228 goes to the Senate?

Our panel of economists and legal experts will walk us through why pensions and investment leaders need to understand what’s changed in how we think about economic policy, the reality behind these and other shifts, what’s coming up next, and what it all means for our economic and social future.

Systemic racism is embedded in Canada’s history, institutions, and foundational to Canada’s economy. A comprehensive approach to addressing racial injustices, and the legacies of colonialism in Canada must encompass wide-ranging reforms in every area of Canadian life, including criminal justice, immigration, and economic policy. This session will identify and explore opportunities for investors to advance racial equity, and how financial capital, which has historically contributed to racial oppression, can be used to bring about greater equity. Speakers will provide practical options for investors to use their capital to address the ongoing effects of systemic racism in Canada.

During this session, trustees, plan sponsors, First Nations and foundations will share their experiences in improving the governance of their respective investment funds, with a specific focus on building the bench and developing leadership among those with governing roles over pools of capital. This session will address key questions from those responsible for appointing and supporting trust officers, trustees and investment committee members including:

1. How can we inspire interest and participation in asset owner governing boards among relevant stakeholders?
2. What kinds of skills, values and characteristices help trustees and investment committee members be effective?
3. How can governing bodies incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion strategies into their succession planning?

Climate change is now recognized as posing material and urgent financial risks and opportunities, with implications for the financial system and individual companies and industries. Climate change is, therefore a critical ESG factor for consideration by asset owners, with many in Canada and globally establishing net zero portfolio targets. In this session, we will explore practical actions asset owners can take to address climate change across their portfolios, including working effectively with asset managers. The session will consider actions relevant to asset owners of different sizes, with different strategies and at different stages of their climate action journeys.

Indigenous reconciliation has entered the mainstream business dialogue, signalling a historic and transformational opportunity for the relationship between capital markets and Indigenous peoples. Asset owners have a critical role in this process through their engagements with consultants, asset managers, investee companies, and regulators to demand commitments, plans, and actions to advance Indigenous reconciliation. This panel will provide asset owners with a road map to action, from the foundational principles of Indigenous reconciliation to the new benchmarks for corporate practices and disclosures and opportunities for collaboration between Indigenous and allied investors.

For Asset Managers, Investment Consultants and other Service Providers

Client expectations around stewardship and voting are changing, and as asset owners raise concerns around net zero objectives, racial equity and reconciliation, how can asset managers help their clients to pursue their goals within the context of their investment portfolios? How do we respond to client expectations with the best approaches, data and communications so that we are better service providers and can be a partner in developing meaningful solutions? And how do we work together collectively, even as competitors? This special caucus session will provide asset manager and service provider participants with a window into what’s coming down the pipeline from clients and an opportunity to explore and learn from each other about effectively meeting client expectations.

For Trade Union Representatives, Labour-Nominated Trustees and Investment Committee Members

Labour-nominated trustees often speak of the challenges they face in considering ESG factors appropriately in their roles as fiduciaries. It can be difficult for trustees to raise workers’ rights issues. Changing expectations mean investors are grappling with how best to mitigate social issues and their associated risks. In this session, we will discuss critical questions: How can labour-nominated trustees effectively raise workers’ rights issues at the board table within a fiduciary framework? How can we build on best practices and the latest fiduciary understanding and guidance to become more successful in mobilizing workers’ capital? Join the Canadian Capital Stewardship Network (CCSN) as we make space for trade union representatives and union-nominated asset owner board members to reflect and strategize on the intersections between labour movement priorities and the investment of workers’ deferred retirement savings.

A Gathering for Foundations, Universities, Indigenous Trusts and Religious Investors

Asset owners like universities, foundations, trusts and other institutions depend on external asset managers to execute on their investment policy, including through asset selection and stewardship strategies such as proxy voting. Yet often, there can be a disconnect between asset owners’ own goals and intentions and their managers’ approaches and voting records. Setting expectations is one thing; monitoring, evaluating, and changing practices is another. This special caucus session will provide participants with an opportunity to explore and learn from each other about effective oversight of external asset managers, focused on critical issues like climate change and net zero objectives, racial equity and reconciliation, and human rights. What’s working, how can we raise the bar collectively, and what can we achieve in the coming year?

Faced with systemic risks across sectors or the whole economy, collaborative investor initiatives are proliferating. What are the essential characteristics of successful engagement on sectoral and systemic issues? What should asset owners consider when deciding to collaborate? What structures, mandates and resources help drive change? This panel will examine these questions through case studies of three investor collaborations for sectoral and systemic change.