Montréal, September 24, 2011 - By adopting the UN’s Principles for Responsible Investment during the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, both Michel Arsenault, Chairman of the Fonds de solidarité FTQ Board and President of the FTQ, and Yvon Bolduc, President and CEO of Fonds de Solidarité FTQ, reaffirmed the Fonds’ commitment to socially responsible investing.
“The Fonds’ adoption of the Principles for Responsible Investment is part of our continuous improvement efforts. In 2009, we committed to the United Nations Global Compact and in 2010, we published our first Sustainable Development Report according to the Global Reporting Initiative guidelines. This latest move confirms and reinforces our commitment to socially responsible investing,” stated Michel Arsenault.
“The principles of socially responsible investing have been part of the Fonds’ approach for a long time. From day one, there have always been social prerequisites to any financial support from the Fonds. We have always made it clear that our investments are not based solely on financial returns but also on the impact companies have in the community,” said Yvon Bolduc.
An initiative of the United Nations Secretary-General, the Principles for Responsible Investment were developed by the world’s largest institutional investors with the support of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative and the UN Global Compact. The six principles are:
- We will incorporate ESG* issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.
- We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices.
- We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest.
- We will promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry.
- We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles.
- We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles.
*ESG: environmental, social and governance.
More information about the PRI is available at www.unpri.org/principles/index.php
About the Fonds de solidarité FTQ
The Fonds de solidarité FTQ and its network help drive our economy. With net assets of $8.2 billion as at May 31, 2011, the Fonds is a development capital investment fund that through its 16 regional funds and 87 local funds channels the savings of Quebecers into investments in all sectors of the economy to help create and maintain jobs and further Québec's economic growth. The Fonds is a partner, either directly or through its network members, in 2,129 companies. With its 583,235 owner-shareholders, it has helped, on its own or with other financial partners, to create, maintain and protect 160,789 jobs. For more information, visit www.fondsftq.com.
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Information
: contact information below is for the exclusive use of reporters and other media representatives.
Source : Patrick McQuilken
Senior Advisor for Media Relations and Communications
Fonds de solidarité FTQ
Phone: 514 850-4835
Mobile: 514 703-5587
Email: pmcquilken@fondsftq.com
Twitter : @fondsFTQ