Monday, June 18
Simultaneous interpretation in French and English is available for all plenary sessions.
2:00pm Conference Welcome
Conference organizers welcome you to the event
2:30pm The Stakeholder Approach to Executive Compensation: The Smartest Idea in the World?
Mainstream approaches to executive compensation incentivize CEOs to do what it takes to maximize shareholder value – “the dumbest idea in the world” according to Jack Welch. Come join corporate governance rock star Professor Lynn Stout, Distinguished Professor of Corporate Law at Cornell University Law School, discuss the shattering conclusions of her new book, The Shareholder Value Myth. Bob Walker, Vice President of ESG Services at NEI will then lead a discussion on the implications for responsible investors and how Ethical Funds has used Professor Stout’s thinking to redesign how (and how much) executives get paid. The smartest idea in the world?
Sponsored by Ethical Funds
3:30pm Break / Trade Show
4:00pm The Future of SRI: Towards an Ethical World
If the purpose of SRI is more than just an exercise in looking good rather than doing good, investments need more than superficial review. But is it worth it? Does SRI reduce investment return? Futurist and C.F.A. Richard Worzel will show how future developments demonstrate that social responsibility will increasingly be smart investing.
Sponsored by AGF Investments
5:00pm Investing in Green Real Estate and Infrastructure
Institutional investors are increasingly turning their attention to real estate and infrastructure as promising alternative investments. These asset categories not only provide income opportunities, but they also hold potential to lower carbon footprints and improve the quality of life in cities and regions. Former Toronto mayor David Miller will set the stage in a pre-recorded interview with CBC business correspondent Amanda Lang. Then the session will go live with Martyn McCarthy, Director of Business Operations and Sustainability for Aberdeen Asset Management’s property division, who will provide a global perspective on the topic.
Sponsored by Aberdeen Asset Management
7:00pm An evening of entertainment and inspiration a
t …
Take a stroll, hail a cab, or hop on the Metro to Scena, Montreal’s stunning waterfront complex at Jacques-Cartier pier. Join us for an evening of great food, amazing entertainment and inspirational ideas. Claude Villeneuve, biologist and renowned Quebec environmental scientist will talk about climate change and the role of the investment industry. Prof. Villeneuve has a staggering list of achievements, including 14 film documentaries, 10 books and countless speaking engagements. “The most important role I can play on behalf of the environment is to inspire others to take part,” he says. “People need to know that they have the power to effect change and that every little action truly makes a difference.”
Sponsored by Desjardins and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec
Tuesday, June 19
7:30am Breakfast
8:00am Challenges to SRI: From mainstream to mainstreet
An independent consultant, Dominique Ferrand specializes in ESG issues and the tangible strategic issues they raise. He will first present participants with some known threats to our societies generally overlooked by the society…. and by the financial services. He will then debunk the myth of “mainstreaming” responsible investment, and call for “mainstreeting” it. Dominique is recognized for the rigour of his research. His clients include financial institutions, corporations and governments. He has been a member of the Desjardins Funds Environmental Advisory Group for 12 years.
Sponsored by Desjardins Funds
9:00am Concurrent Technical Intensives
Roll up your sleeves and do a deep dive into one of a number of intensive sessions aimed at increasing your SRI technical expertise.
Thank you to our sponsor CPP Investment Board for sponsoring these sessions, and to our partner Finance and Sustainability Initiative for organizing the speakers and topics.
1. ISR 101 – ISR d’aujourd’hui (in French) Details are available here.
Who should attend: French-speaking advisors interested in learning about SRI
2. SRI 101 - SRI Today (in English) Details are available here.
Who should attend: English-speaking advisors interested in learning about SRI
3. ISR 201 (in French) Details are available here.
Who should attend: French-speaking advisors with some knowledge of SRI
4. SRI 201 (in English) Details are available here.
Who should attend: English-speaking advisors with some knowledge of SRI
5. Strategies for portfolio managers and analysts (simultaneous translation) Details are available here.
Who should attend: buy-side and sell-side analysts; portfolio managers; ESG rating analysts
6. Impact investing and mission-related investing (in English) Details are available here.
Who should attend: family office investor, staff and investment committee members of foundations and endowments; high-net-worth investors; religious institutes, impact-focused investors
7. Shareholder activism and engagement (in French) Details are available here.
Who should attend: religious institutes; staff and investment committee members of foundations and endowments; high-net-worth investors; family office investors
10:30am Break / Trade Show
11:00am Continuation of intensives
12:45 The New Rules of Green Marketing (For Advisors)
Enjoy lunch and a stimulating talk by one of the leading experts in green marketing in the US. Jacqueline Ottman, sought-a
fter speaker and author of The New Rules of Green Marketing, will talk about how financial advisors can tap into the growing landscape for sustainable and socially responsible consumerism.
Sponsored by IA Clarington Investments
2:15pm Concurrent Sponsored Workshops
Our sponsors offer short informative presentations on leading-edge products, trends or ideas.
3:00pm Free Time
An opportunity to freshen up, have a meeting, or enjoy some R&R.
4:30pm PRI and the Future of Investment
Wolfgang Engshuber, Chair of the Principles for Responsible Investment, joins the conference by videolink from Rio de Janiero, where he is attending the Rio+20 Earth Summit. Wolfgang will talk to us about about developments at Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), and how the Earth Summit will impact on sustainable and responsible investment. He will be interviewed from Montreal by Hugh Wheelan, Managing Editor of Responsible Investor.
5:30pm Reception / Trade Show
6:30pm Dinner and SRI Distinguished Service Award
The dinner will conclude with the presentation of the third annual SRI service award, to be given to an outstanding member of the Canadian SRI community.
9:00pm Party!
Groupe Investissement Responsable and Sustainalytics invite you to an exciting cocktail and dance party at Karina’s Club Lounge on Crescent Street. Located in the heart of the vibrant downtown core and steps from thec onference, Karina’s offers a unique and enticing ambiance. With complimentary drinks, food and great music, this party is not to be missed! We look forward to welcoming you at 9:00pm immediately after the Award dinner.
Wednesday, June 20
7:30am Breakfast
8:00am SIO Annual Meeting
SIO’s annual business meeting. Reports from President Don Wilson and Executive Director Eugene Ellmen. Questions and comments welcome from members. Open to the public.
9:00am The Importance of ESG Considerations in 21st Century 
Pension Management
Roland Lescure, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, will speak on how environmental, social and governance factors impact pension management. The moderator for this session will be Hugh Wheelan, Managing Editor of Responsible Investor.
9:30am A New Stage of Growth: The Difference Impact Investment Makes
Impact investing in Canada has entered a new stage of growth over the past year. This panel will address the continuum of impact investing in Canada; from capital formation for investment to the differences being made in communities.
This session has been made possible by our Impact Investment Partners, MaRS Centre for Impact Investing and Assiniboine Credit Union
- Christine Bergeron, Investment Manager, Community Capital, Vancity, Resilient Capital
- Tom Rand, Advisor, Cleantech, MaRS
- Dr. Marguerite Mendell, Professor and Vice-Principal of the School of Community and Public Affairs, Concordia University
- Priscilla Boucher, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Assiniboine Credit Union
- Moderator: Karim Harji, Venture Deli
10:30am Break / Trade Show
11:00am SRI and Group Savings Plans
Group savings plans are an important part of many Canadians’ retirement plans. With the upcoming introduction of PRPPs even more Canadians are going to be including group plans in their retirement income mix. SRI funds can play a role in helping plan members design and diversify their group retirement investment strategies. Claude Leblanc, Senior Vice President, Group Savings and Retirement for Standard Life, walks participants through the issues and the opportunities.
Sponsored by Standard Life Assurance Company of Canada
11:30am Concurrent Sponsored Workshops
Our sponsors offer short informative presentations on leading-edge products, trends or ideas. A detailed agenda of workshop choices will be made available closer to the conference.
12:15pm A Conversation with Former Prime Minister Paul 
Martin
Enjoy lunch and an informal talk with the Rt. Hon. Paul Martin, former Prime Minister of Canada. Mr. Martin will share his views on the role of the investment industry in meeting the social and economic challenges of the times. In conversation with Gary Hawton, CEO of Meritas SRI Funds, Mr. Martin will touch on a number of themes, including sustainable, aboriginal and impact investment.
Sponsored by Meritas SRI Funds
2:00pm Conference Close
The conference wraps up with a few concluding remarks from the organizers.
