Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business launches a professional designation in sustainable investment
Photo left to right: Benoit Durocher, Executive Vice-President & Chief Economic Strategist, Addenda Capital; Stephen Kibsey, Vice-President, Equity Risk Management, Caisse de dépot et placement du Québec; Nathalie Simard, Vice-President, Marketing & Communications, Addenda Capital; Olivier Gamache, President and General Manager, Groupe investissement responsable inc.; Didier Filion, Director, Investor Relations, Cascades Canada Inc.; Rosalie Vendette, Socially Responsible Investment Advisor, Groupe Desjardins; Paul Shrivastava, Director, David O’Brien Centre for Sustainable Enterprise, Concordia University; Mary C. Larson, Managing Director, Brimstone Consulting Group LLC, Steering Committee Member, Finance and Sustainability Initiative; Sain Godil , Portfolio Manager, John Molson School of Business, Concordia University. MONTREAL, April 20 - Business professionals interested in sustainability now have access to a certification in sustainable investment. The David O’Brien Centre for Sustainable Enterprise, at Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business (JMSB), has created the Sustainable Investment Professional Certification (SIPC). The program is designed to meet the needs of professionals in finance, investment or other functional areas in business through a rigorous training curriculum in the field of sustainability.
The program offers 70 to 80 hours of self-study curriculum material, online study guidance and certification testing, culminating in the Sustainable Investment Professional Certificate. Topics covered include sustainability, governance, ethics, corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability. The SIPC is a self-study program modeled on other professional certifications such as the Chartered Financial Analyst © designation.
“The SIPC program is designed for practitioners, guided by a Business Advisory Council, thereby representing a fruitful collaboration between academics and practitioners,” says Paul Shrivastava, JMSB Management Professor and Director of the David O’Brien Centre for Sustainable Enterprise. “It teaches investment professionals practical ways of incorporating sustainability, environmental, social and governance issues into investment decisions."
Mary C. Larson, Steering Committee Member at the Finance and Sustainability Initiative (FSI), underscores the linkages between education, community and business in the realm of sustainable development. “FSI is a not-for-profit organization which serves as a medium through which education and research around sustainable investment is developed and disseminated. Our goal is to build awareness and recognition of the impact of sustainability efforts and to provide a vehicle in which professional, business and organizational partnering can flourish.”
A Business Advisory Council, formed of practitioners in the fields of sustainability and finance, guided the development of the program. Organizations represented include Addenda Capital, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Cascades, Desjardins Group, Groupe Investissement Responsable, and Osisko. The companies assisted in the creation of a well-rounded curriculum focused on relevance, practicality and applicability.
Reaction from the investment industry has been very positive. “It's a real pleasure to contribute and share our experience within the SIPC program,” says Olivier Gamache, President of Groupe Investissement Responsable (GIR). “It gives our field of expertise a legitimacy that is long overdue and that is now considered among best business practices. We recognize the need to educate investment professionals in matters related to environmental, social and corporate governance, which is now a key element for creating a unique value proposition.”
Jim MacDonald, Senior Vice-President and Co-Chief Investment Officer at Addenda Capital, echoes the sentiment by adding: “Addenda Capital is pleased to actively support the creation of the Sustainable Investment Professional Certification Program, a first of its kind in Canada. As sustainable investing continues to gain prominence, so does the value of academic training and professional certification in this area. This innovative and forward-looking program will not only benefit its graduates, it will ultimately strengthen the Canadian finance and investment community as a whole.”
Business professionals seeking innovative and specialized training will benefit greatly from the program. “Desjardins Group is thrilled to be supporting the creation of an accredited university program in sustainable investment,” said Hélène Gagné, Director, Marketing, Wealth Management and Life and Health Insurance, Desjardins Group. “This program will make it possible to train a new generation of financial professionals who have the expertise they need to meet the growing investor expectations in environmental and social responsibility and corporate governance. As a leader in sustainable investment practices for over 20 years, we are excited about the future of this program and the impact it will certainly have on the development of this type of expertise in Quebec and the rest of Canada.”
In an increasingly complex, competitive and sustainable business world, knowledge in sustainability and financial responsibility are key. “As a long-term investor, the Caisse complements its financial analysis with non-financial — environmental, social and governance (ESG) — analysis in seeking performance,” said Roland Lescure, Executive Vice-President and Chief Investment Officer of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. It is also vital for this institution to use its influence to encourage companies to improve both their governance practices and their environmental and social track records. Supporting the development of responsible investment and sustainable development expertise is extremely important to us, since it is still too limited in scope. The program meets a real need of tomorrow’s investors, providing the skills to assess investment risks and returns based on non-financial criteria.”
The impact of sustainability in everyday business practices is apparent on an organization’s “triple bottom line” of people, planet and profit. Alan Lemaire, Cascades President and Chief Executive Officer, explains: “Nowadays, to know the value of a business, you have to look at more than just the figures in its financial reports. You also have look at whether it has adopted and implemented the principles of sustainability. For years, our company has demonstrated that sustainable development can be profitable and welcomes investor interest in it.”
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Media Contact
Mai-Gee Hum, MSc
Communications Officer
John Molson School of Business, Concordia University
Tel.: 514-848-2424 ext. 4142
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Media Contact
Mary C. Larson
Steering Committee Member, Financial and Sustainability Initiative Montreal
Tel.: 514-931-5598
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Information about our financial partners
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About Addenda Capital
Addenda Capital is an investment management firm who through its
commitment to excellence and focus on client relationships adds value
through disciplined investment strategies and processes. Headquartered
in Montreal, Addenda Capital can rely on a team of more than 40
investment professionals located in offices in Montreal, Guelph, Regina
and Toronto. Addenda Capital offers a broad range of investment
strategies in different asset classes. With assets under management of
more than $31 billion, Addenda Capital is part of The Co-operators
Group, one of the largest Canadian-owned multi-product insurer.
Media Contact
Benoit Durocher
Executive V.P and Chief Economic Strategist
Addenda Capital
Tel.: 514-287-7373
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About the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is a financial institution
that manages funds primarily for public and private pension and
insurance plans. As at December 31, 2010, it held $151.7 billion in net
assets. As one of Canada’s leading institutional fund managers, the
Caisse invests in major financial markets, private equity and real
estate. For more information visit lacaisse.com.
Media Contact
Maxime Chagnon
Senior Director, Media Relations
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec
Tel.: 514-847-5493
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About Cascades
Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts and markets packaging and
tissue products composed mainly of recycled fibres. Cascades employs
close to 12,500 men and women in more than 100 modern, versatile
operating units in North America and Europe. Cascades' management
philosophy, its more than 45 years of experience in recycling, and its
continued efforts in research and development are strengths which enable
the company to create new products for its customers. The Cascades
shares trade on the Toronto stock exchange under the ticker symbol CAS.
Media Contact
Christine Beaulieu
Director of Communications
CASCADES INC.
Tel.: 819-363-5161
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About Desjardins Group
Awarded the coveted title "Bank of the Year 2010 - Canada" by UK
magazine The Banker, Desjardins Group is the leading cooperative
financial group in Canada and the sixth largest in the world, with
assets of over $172 billion. Drawing on the strength of its caisse
network in Quebec and Ontario, and its subsidiaries across Canada, it
offers a full range of financial products and services to its 5.8
million members and clients. Desjardins specializes in Wealth Management
and Life and Health Insurance, in Property and Casualty Insurance, in
Personal Services, in Business and Institutional Services. As one of the
largest employers in the country and one of Canada's 10 Most Admired
Corporate CulturesTM of 2010, Desjardins is supported by the skills of
its 42,500 employees and the commitment of nearly 6,000 elected
officers. For more information, visit desjardins.com.
Media Contact
Caroline Phémius
Media Relations
Desjardins Group
Tel.: 514- 281-7000, ext. 7646 or 1 866 866-7000
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About Financial and Sustainability Initiative Montreal
Financial and Sustainability Initiative (FSI) Montreal is a not for
profit organization which focuses on where sustainability and finance
intersect. This group is created by professionals for professionals and
seeks to develop a common language around environmental, social and
governance, and sustainability. It also seeks to engage a range of
stakeholders, including the social economy and other organizations in
business, finance, government, communities and academia. FSI is based in
Montréal, Québec and is global in scope.
Media Contact
Mary C. Larson
Steering Committee Member, Financial and Sustainability Initiative Montreal
Tel.: 514-931-5598
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About Groupe Investissement Responsable Inc.
Groupe Investissement Responsable Inc (GIR) has, over the last 10 years,
earned a coveted reputation for its boutique approach to
extra-financial strategic advisory services. GIR is relied upon by
investment professionals to provide independent and accurate information
on matters related to sustainable development, extra-financial risks,
fiduciary and compliance matters. The end result is clear, factual
information and policy recommendations that are dependable and
recognized world over. GIR is an industry leader in the development of
technology used to implement responsible investment strategies. Its
ongoing innovations include the development of the Integralpha™
platform, which is positioned to become the most significant revolution
in financial platforms since the advent of the Internet.
Media Contact
Olivier Gamache
President
Groupe Investissement Responsable Inc.
Tel.: 514- 448-5400
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About Osisko Mining Corporation
Osisko Mining Corporation is currently commissioning the Canadian
Malartic Gold Mine, evaluating adjacent areas for a large-scale open
pit, bulk-tonnage mining operation and pursuing exploration of the
Hammond Reef Gold Project in Northern Ontario. The Company is
well-funded with approximately $230 million on hand.
Media Contact
Sylvie Prud’homme, P.Geo.
Investor Relations Manager
Osisko
Tel.: 514-735-7131 ext. 102
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