Montréal, March 15, 2010 - The Fonds de solidarité FTQ (“Fonds”) has taken another concrete step as a socially responsible company by becoming a Gold partner of Maison du développement durable.
A truly innovative concept developed by Équiterre, Maison du développement durable is a non-profit organization whose mission is to build and operate an LEED platinum-certified model green building. Located in Montréal at the intersection of Sainte-Catherine and Clark, in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles, the project calls for responsible use of materials, effective management of natural resources and an eco-friendly design. When completed, the six-story building will house Équiterre’s management team, office spaces, a daycare, an atrium and the Green Building Centre.
“This association’s mission is consistent with our business values and this partnership is another concrete step we are taking towards the community, our employees, workers and business people in Québec,” said Mario Tremblay, vice-president of public and corporate affairs at the Fonds de solidarité FTQ.
A socially responsible organization since 1983
With its mission to create and protect jobs, further Québec’s economic development, encourage Quebecers to save for retirement and provide workers with economic education, the Fonds de solidarité FTQ meets the criteria of a socially responsible organization. The same can be said of its investment approach, which does not only consider profitability but also takes into account the impact and future of companies in their communities. With its long-term capital, the Fonds takes the long view and seeks to create and maintain quality jobs in Québec.
Concrete steps in responsible management
Over the years, the Fonds has implemented policies that reflect its values, including an overall asset management policy, a social audit of all potential partner companies, a voting rights policy for listed companies and a code of conduct for partners and vendors active outside Canada.
As it is doing with Maison du développement durable, the Fonds backs community projects such as the Chantier de l’économie sociale, which funds projects by social economy companies, the Conseil des arts de Montréal, which provides internships for young graduates, the Fonds d’acquisition de Montréal, which reserves land for the eventual construction of affordable community housing, the Complexe des Nations in Sherbrooke, a gathering place for people of all nationalities, and the construction of outdoor skating rinks in disadvantaged Montréal neighbourhoods in partnership with the Montréal Canadiens Children’s Foundation, the Club de hockey Canadien and the FTQ.
In May 2009, the Fonds took another step by signing the United Nations Global Compact, whose principles address human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption. In 2008, the organization implemented the BOMA BEST program, which calls for quality environmental practices in building management, and introduced Défi Climat, an annual campaign that seeks to mobilize employees around the issue of climate change. Moreover, the Fonds’ annual general meetings have been carbon neutral for the last three years.
Next Annual Report to follow the GRI approach
Further reflecting its commitment to social responsibility, the next Fonds de solidarité FTQ Annual Report will be produced according to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework, an international reference standard adopted by countless financial institutions and organizations. The Fonds will use the GRI guidelines to report on its sustainable development performance in three areas: environmental, social and economic.
About the Fonds de solidarité FTQ
The Fonds de solidarité FTQ helps drive our economy. With net assets of $7.0 billion as at November 30, 2009, the Fonds is a development capital fund that channels the savings of Quebecers into investments in all sectors of the economy to help further Québec's economic growth. The Fonds is a partner, either directly or through its network members, in 2,000 companies. With nearly 571,000 owner-shareholders, the organization has helped, on its own or with other financial partners, to create, maintain and protect 143,000 jobs. For more information, visit www.fondsftq.com.
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For further information:
Note: The telephone numbers below are for journalists and other media representatives only.
Source:
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Josée Lagacé
Senior Advisor, Press Relations and Communications
Fonds de solidarité FTQ
Telephone: 514 850-4835
E-mail: jlagace@fondsftq.com |