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From COVID-19 outbreaks in low-wage workplaces to Black Lives Matter protests across North America, the tumultuous events of this past year have exposed deep inequities across the globe – inequities that can generate systemic risks for investors. In response, the momentum for bold investor action on social issues is rising.
This webinar looks at how Canadian investors can use their voting rights to press portfolio companies on workers’ rights issues this proxy season. Hear about vote recommendations on governance issues at Chartwell, warehouse work at Dollarama, freedom of association at Amazon, racial justice and pay at Walmart and more.
Speakers include:
- A former Dollarama worker
- Anthony Schein, SHARE
- Emma Pullman, BCGEU
- Mostafa Henaway. Immigrant Workers’ Centre
- Sarah Couturier-Tanoh, SHARE
- Trustees United (USA)
Protecting Our Most Valuable Assets: Investor Oversight of Responsible Real Estate Standards in the Context of COVID-19
In order to better understand the approaches to workforce risks in the real estate sector, the Canadian Capital Stewardship Network (CCSN) sent a short questionnaire to ten of the largest pension funds in Canada on the steps they have taken to respond to the ongoing pandemic. Our research demonstrates a significant gap in oversight by real estate investors and their property managers. The report finds that some commercial property cleaners are overworked, underpaid and under protected, despite responsible investment policies from building owners.
To read the report, click here.
To read the press release, click here.
To advance the campaign on responsible real estate in the context of COVID-19, we hosted a webinar on December 10, 2020 to discuss the report’s findings and share strategies on how workers’ capital can be leveraged to promote safe and responsible business practices in private markets.
Principles for Responsible Real Estate Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic
The ability of service providers such as security officers and commercial cleaners to provide a healthy and safe environment for all visitors, tenants and building workers is integral to professional commercial real estate management. At no time has this been more clear than during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Canadian Capital Stewardship Network has developed a set of Principles for Responsible Real Estate Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
To read the Principles, click here
To read the press release, click here
Webinar: Proxy Voting Power
How asset owners can activate their shares and make meaningful change this spring
April 21, 2020
Voting rights attached to common shares have the power to change markets for the better. Shareholder voting rights allow asset owners to influence the behaviour of companies on issues that hold implications for workers and their communities. These include executive pay, supply chain transparency, worker health and safety, and workforce oversight – issues that are critical as the current pandemic unfolds.
Using voting rights to drive meaningful change at the company level can be a challenge for asset owners because of how the investment chain has evolved. Institutional investors often delegate proxy voting to managers with minimal oversight, complicating the task of voting in a responsible and coherent way.
This webinar looks at how asset owners can ensure that their fund is seizing the power of proxy voting. Drawing on examples of past and present initiatives, it helps trustees learn about tools to exercise effective oversight in both pooled and segregated funds, how responsible voting has driven changes on the ground, and why this oversight is essential in responding to company practices in these uncertain times.
Speakers:
Shannon Rohan, Chief Strategy Officer, Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE)
Colette Murphy, Executive Director, Atkinson Foundation
Emma Pullman, Capital Stewardship Officer, BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BC GEU)
Moderator:
Hugues Létourneau, SHARE/Canadian Capital Stewardship Network
Tools for trustees: How to promote the “S” in “ESG” on your boards
- SHARE Trustee Guidance on Decent Work – click here.
- The OECD’s Responsible Business Conduct for Institutional Investors: Key Considerations for Due Diligence under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises – click here.
- The Human Capital Management petition to the Securities and Exchange Commission (USA) for rulemaking pursuant to Rule 192(a) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice – click here.
Networks
Capital is invested globally, and harnessing the power of workers’ capital for a just and sustainable economy is a global effort. The following unions and organizations are actively working to strengthen stewardship of workers’ capital:
Trustees United (USA)