Interest in ESG investing in investment fund industry has risen considerably
The Canadian Securities Administrators has announced a virtual roundtable tackling environmental, social and governance (ESG) related regulatory issues in asset management, which will take place on Sept. 27 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET.
Given that interest in ESG investing among Canadian investors and in the investment fund industry has risen considerably, panellists will address relevant regulatory issues, benefits and challenges from the standpoint of asset managers, ESG ratings providers and retail investors.
The panel will also talk about the importance of improving ESG-related fund disclosure in ensuring that investors make more informed investment decisions and avoid misinformation relating to the ESG-related aspects of a fund, also known as “greenwashing,” said a news release.
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The panellists’ discussion will cover investor risks and needs, regulatory gaps, proxy voting and shareholder engagement disclosure, ESG-related continuous disclosure, ESG information in marketing materials, ESG ratings and data providers and common ESG-related terminology.
Wendy Berman, vice-chair of the Ontario Securities Commission, will moderate the panel, while Hugo Lacroix, superintendent for securities markets at Autorité des marchés financiers, will also deliver remarks. Representatives from different jurisdictions of the Canadian Securities Administrators will be present.
The panellists, who will be answering questions from the audience members, comprise the following:
- Melanie Adams, vice president and head, corporate governance and responsible investment at RBC Global Asset Management
- Mari Brossard, senior manager, sustainable investment at National Bank Investments
- Jean-Paul Bureaud, executive director at FAIR Canada
- Michelle Edkins, managing director, BlackRock investment stewardship at BlackRock
- Ian Howard, executive director commercial, corporate solutions at Morningstar Sustainalytics
- David Rutherford, vice president, ESG services at NEI Investments.
Members of the public may register and attend the roundtable.
The Canadian Securities Administrators seek to coordinate and harmonize regulation for capital markets in the country.