We have been working hard to find a Socially Responsible Investment manager that we feel comfortable to recommend.  Inhance Mutual funds is one of our favourite. We like their ESG process, management style and feel confident in their investment process. 

We are please to report that one of their Canadian Balanced fund, the Inhance Monthly Income Fund, has been name one of the two top SRI mutual funds in Canada this week.  The nomination came from the Corporate Knights magazine’s seventh annual survey of the country’s SRI universe.

Corporate Knights crunched the numbers on 64 Canadian SRI funds, using a combination of social and performance scores as well as one-to-five “shield” scores, based on the following: Performance: 40%; Integration: 17%; Engagement: 15% Portfolio Turnover Rate: 10%; and Systemic: 8%.

Vancity and Inhance had the top two balanced funds, but also generated the highest scores overall as a result of their stronger performance numbers.

By investing in companies like Inhance you can contribute to a better world.  They file corporate resolution to make corporations change the way they do business.  Take a look at these two concrete example. Feel great to know that we, through our investments, can contribute to change.

Green is in

Inhance tackles climate change

Have you ever thought about incorporating factors such as the environment, human rights and transparent corporate practices into your investments? If so, then responsible investing may be the perfect opportunity to use your money to achieve your financial goals while contributing to a more sustainable world.

Socially responsible investing has evolved over the years and has recently become more mainstream with adoption by major financial institutions, including the Canada Pension Plan. Below you’ll find some answers to commonly asked questions.

What is responsible investing?
Responsible investing provides a framework for achieving better long-term investment returns and more sustainable markets by considering both an investor’s financial needs and an investment’s impact on society.
Is responsible investing a new investment strategy?
No. It has been used for many years, but it continues to evolve and gain acceptance. Today, environmental sustainability, social responsibility and good corporate governance (ESG) are widely recognized to have a profound impact on company’s long-term financial performance.

Do you sacrifice performance by investing responsibly?
No. Numerous studies show that responsible investing generates returns comparable to the overall market. The Jantzi Social Index (JSI) tracks companies that pass a set of broadly-based environmental, social and governance criteria. The JSI is mapped against the S&P/TSX Composite Index and tracks with equal or better performance, as seen in the chart below.

What is shareholder engagement?
Traditionally, responsible investing meant screening out companies based on social and environmental concerns. Today, investors partner with companies and suggest ways for them to become better using shareholder engagement. Common engagement topics are diversity, human rights, climate change, business practices, health and safety and toxic material management. The goal is to promote further positive action and to increase long-term shareholder value. Essentially, encouraging progressive companies to be their best.

What are the benefits to my portfolio?
Investors benefit from an investment process designed to produce superior investment returns over the long-term. In addition, analysis of environmental, social and governance factors provides an extra layer of risk management. Responsible investing also ensures that your money is invested in companies that follow progressive practices. That helps you contribute to the development of a more sustainable world.

Whatch this short video on the subject

We are having a special info session and you are invited!

We don’t have events very often.  You will not want to miss this one on January 28th at 7pm the Terminal City Club.  By popular demand, our first speaker will be on Socially Responsible Investing or commonly called Ethical & Green investing. 

Dermot Foley is the Vice-President of Strategic Analysis of Inhance Investment Management Inc. With his depth of knowledge in labour relations, energy stocks and climate change impact and solutions, Dermot takes a lead role in the ESG analysis of our investment process. Dermot brings over 15 years of experience in social and environmental advocacy, research and policy analysis.  His role is to assess business practices, management systems and treatment of non-financial risk.  Dermot is also responsible for determining the strategy for shareholder engagement with companies held in Inhance portfolios. Prior to joining Inhance, Dermot was the Senior Policy Analyst with the David Suzuki Foundation Climate Change Program for 6 years. Widely esteemed within the environmental community as a strategist, analyst, and spokesperson, Dermot has participated in developing and implementing provincial environmental and energy policy.

It will be followed by a talk on the new Guaranteed Investment & income funds. Do market volatility make you nervous?  Are you concerned about losing some of your capital invested? Do you want an investment that can offer predictable, sustainable and potentially increasing income for life?  Vincent Nijjar, VP CI Investments will talk about this new product whichprotects your capital and pay a 5% annual income guarantee with upside potential if and when the markets do recover.

Last but not least will be Isabelle St-Jean, author of Living Forward, Giving Back, a Guide to Fulfillment in Midlife and Beyond. Her presentation is called; What is next? Success factors for a purposeful reengagement in midlife and beyond.  This informative, uplifting, energizing & inspiring talk will explore some of the non-financial success factors of retirement such as the renewal of one’s purpose and personal identity and how we can be fulfilled by making a difference in our community.

Mark your calendar today and RSVP with Victoria at