Press release

Montréal, April 22, 2010 - On this Earth Day, the Solidarity Fund QFL (the “Fund”) is pleased to announce that it has obtained BOMA BESt certification for its head office located at 545 Crémazie Boulevard East. The Fund obtained Level 3 out of a possible 4, which is very satisfying. This certification attests to the quality of its environmental practices, particularly waste reduction and energy efficiency.

BOMA BESt is a national program launched by BOMA Canada to address an industry need for realistic standards for energy and environmental performance of existing buildings based on accurate, independently verified information.

“By virtue of its mission to create and preserve jobs, contribute to economic development, encourage Quebecers to save and provide workers with economic training, the Fund is a socially responsible investor committed to sustainable development. Indeed, this certification demonstrates our tangible, enduring commitment to the environment and strengthens our reputation as a socially responsible organization. This recognition is consistent with the other initiatives taken by the Fund, including last year’s signing of the United Nations Global Compact, whose principles cover human rights, labour, the environment, and anti-corruption,” said Mario Tremblay, the Fund’s vice-president of public and corporate affairs.

Concrete initiatives in the area of responsible management
Responsible management, which encompasses environmental stewardship, takes many forms at the Solidarity Fund QFL. For example, its annual general meetings are carbon neutral. The organization also recently became a gold partner of Maison du développement durable, a non-profit organization whose mission is to erect a LEED Platinum certified green building. And this is the second year that the Fund is throwing its weight behind Québec’s Défi Climat 2010, a campaign created to mobilize employers around the issue of climate change.

Another concrete example of the Fund’s commitment to responsible management is its Annual Report, which is produced according to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting framework , an international benchmark adopted by other financial institutions and firms. Using the GRI’s guidelines, the Fund reports on its sustainable development performance using three key indicators: social, economic and environmental.


Web site : www.bomabest.ca

About the Solidarity Fund QFL
The Solidarity Fund QFL helps drive our economy. With net assets of $7.0 billion as at November 30, 2009, the Fund is a development capital company that through its RRSP channels the savings of Quebecers into investments in all sectors of the economy to help create and maintain jobs and to further Québec's economic growth. The Fund is a partner, either directly or through its network members, in 2,000 companies. It currently has nearly 571,000 shareholders and has helped, on its own or with other financial partners, to create, maintain and protect nearly 143,000 jobs. For more information, visit www.fondsftq.com .

Note: The telephone number provided below is for the exclusive use of journalists and other media representatives.

Source: Josée LagacéSenior Advisor, Press Relations and Communications
Fonds de solidarité FTQTelephone: 514 850-4835