About the Statement
Key actors in Québec’s financial sector are committed to promoting finance based on the principles of responsible investment, underscoring Québec's role as a leader in the Americas on sustainable finance.
When the Statement was announced in October 2021, it had been signed by over 20 institutions representing more than C$900 billion in assets under management.
Seven months later, it had been signed by 38 financial institutions, representing more than C$1.35 billion in managed assets, to make Québec a world leader in sustainable finance.
The future of finance must be sustainable and promote the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations in investment and capital allocation decision-making. We, the Québec financial sector, affirm that the values of the Québec financial center promote and uphold this vision. The ongoing leadership of institutions in Québec in the responsible investment field provides a unique opportunity for the province to showcase its expertise on the international stage, and to make our financial market a center of excellence and innovation in sustainable finance in the Americas.
To support the implementation of Canada’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, and add to the momentum from the 2017 Investor Statement on Climate Change Financial Risks, we must take advantage of the local resources, expertise and infrastructure at our disposal to strengthen Québec's position as a leader in the Americas within this transition.
Our industry must play a leading role to support a green, fair, and responsible low-carbon transition in Québec's and Canada’s economies. We recognize the importance of aligning capital allocation not only with the transformation efforts of our industries, but also with our stakeholders' vision and values.
To seize the opportunities that will arise from this significant evolution, we are committed to implementing concrete measures, specific to each of the industry’s players, that will support the development of local expertise in responsible investment that is unique in the Americas. By building a network of experts specialized in sustainable asset management; by collaborating with leading educational institutions, particularly university programs in finance; and by acting in a concerted manner, the Québec financial center will be better equipped to attract ESG fund management, and to grow a local and responsible investment ecosystem.
