These 10 socially responsible companies know how to
make an impact beyond their headquarters:
Bank of Montreal BMOs board diversity policy ensures that women represent at least a third of the banks independent board of directors. Equity and debt financing to the renewable energy sector amounted to $3.6 billion in fiscal 2012, one of the highest among Canadian banks for that year. BMO funds a nationwide financial literacy program that aims to educate 45,000 students on personal finance over three years. The Co-Operators Group Ltd. Active participant in the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative and the first North American signatory to the UN Principles for Sustainable Insurance. Offers sustainable insurance products, including its EnviroGuard endorsement and LEED home coverage, which provides either additional coverage or discounts for environmentally responsible home owners. Having reduced greenhouse-gas emissions by 15 per cent since 2007, the group has set an aggressive target of zero net emissions, across its facilities and in its business travel, by 2020. Desjardins Group Desjardins General Insurance offers a 20 per cent green savings premium for electric cars, in addition to 10 per cent savings on fuelefficient cars and 15 per cent on hybrid vehicles. A Canadian leader in micro-financing, supporting 19,600 microentrepreneurs, over eight years, in small-business ventures. Helps newcomers to Canada integrate in Quebecs job market by providing loans for certificates or training for workers previously trained abroad. Royal Bank of Canada As part of its enhanced sourcing policy, RBC has made a public commitment to work with suppliers to address conflict minerals in its supply chain.
Underwrote Canadas first investment-grade solar bond, issued in 2012.
The $172-million bond supports two solar farms in Ontario with a combined production capacity of 40 megawatts that will feed into the Ontario power grid. TD Bank Group TDs new responsible procurement policy states that the company will endeavour to source products and services that protect human rights, ethics, diversity/inclusion and the environment. Since 2012, TD Forests has protected 487 hectares of critical forest habitat across North America as part of its commitment to protect more than two football fields per day of North American forest habitat over the next five years. Vancity (Vancouver City Savings Credit Union) Pioneered responsible investing by launching Canadas first ethical fund in 1986 and by integrating environmental and social issues into investment strategy. Adopted a living wage policy whereby 100 per cent of eligible Vancity employees are paid at least $19.14 per hour (salary and benefits), well above B.C.s minimum wage of $10.25. Approved $386 million in community-impact loans in 2012loans to organizations that demonstrate positive social, environmental, or cultural impactrepresenting around one-third of all approved loans to organizations.