Corporate Responsibility
Investment Stewardship
We are committed to the principles of good stewardship and responsible investing, and believe that integrating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues into our investment decision-making and ownership practices across platforms will help deliver better investment outcomes to our clients.
ESG Committee
AGF’s ESG Committee meets monthly to govern responsible investment matters within the firm. The Committee consists of representatives from each investment team and assists the Office of the Chief Investment Officer and AGF’s Sustainability Council with:
- Incorporating ESG issues into our investment management process
- Reporting of and establishing processes to monitor adherence with stewardship activities related to ESG matters that impact AGF’s investment management operations, policies and processes
- Educational training of the investment management team on ESG issues
- Establishing processes for monitoring portfolio manager engagement of investee companies on sustainability matters
- Drafting and updating the responsible investment policies, and establishing processes to monitor adherence with such policies.
Read our Responsible Investing Policy.
Foundations of Our Investment Stewardship
Research & Analysis
We recognize that effective research, analysis and evaluation of ESG issues is a fundamental part of assessing the value and performance of an investment over the medium and longer term and that this analysis should inform asset allocation, stock selection, portfolio construction, shareholder engagement and voting.Risk Oversight
Portfolio level ESG investment risk is monitored in the AGF portfolio analytics and risk management process and reviewed at the quarterly review with every Portfolio Manager, CIO and Risk and Portfolio Analytics team.Active Ownership
Proxy voting is an important component of active ownership. AGF adopted Sustainability Proxy Voting Guidelines to support sustainable business practices and enhance shareholder value. We vote proxies in the best interests of the Funds.
Engagement
AGF engages in dialogue with companies and policy makers to influence and promote ESG value-adding practices, better understand the quality of the businesses that we invest in and how they are positioned for future challenges. We also participate in broader discussions about standards and best practices in responsible investing.
Our Commitment to Responsible Investing
Principles for Responsible Investment*
When opportunity presents itself, AGF engages in dialogue where we seek to influence the company’s approach on ESG factors that are material and relevant for each specific circumstance. AGF participates in broader discussions about standards and best practices in responsible investing. We engage with companies and policy makers on a wide range of issues to understand better the quality of the businesses that we invest in, how they are positioned for future challenges, including their approach to ESG issues.
*AGF Investments Inc. is the signatory to United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment.
RIA
AGF is a sustaining member of the Responsible Investment Association (RIA), Canada’s membership association for Responsible Investment. RIA Members include asset managers, asset owners, advisors, and service providers who believe incorporating environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into investment decisions can provide superior risk-adjusted returns and positive societal impact.
CDP
AGF is a member of CDP a not-for-profit charity that runs the global disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts. CDP is committed to a thriving economy that works for both people and the planet long term.
30% Club Canada
As a member of the 30% Club Canada, AGF achieved near gender parity – with six men and four women – in the Boardroom. The 30% Club encourages and supports companies to appoint more women at board level as well as senior management levels.
Ceres INCR
As a member of The Ceres Investor Network on Climate Risk and Sustainability, AGF engages and collaborates on environmental, social and governance issues to advance leading investment practices, corporate engagement strategies and policy solutions.
UK Stewardship Code*
The UK Stewardship Code 2020 sets high stewardship standards for those investing money on behalf of UK savers and pensioners, and those that support them. As a signatory, AGF is fully is committed to the 12 principles of the Code to provide greater transparency of our investment stewardship approach and processes to clients and prospective investors in the UK.
*AGF International Advisors Company Limited (AGFIA) is the signatory to UK Stewardship Code.