Shareholder engagement: the foundation of Desjardins Funds

Shareholder activism is one of the key component of Desjardins Funds’ responsible investment strategies.

Various strategies are used to choose the securities for our responsible investing funds and portfolios, which integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. Once the investments are made, we can use our influence as shareholders to encourage the companies to improve their ESG practices.

In 2017, Desjardins Funds exercised its voting right more than 18,000 times and initiated dialogue with different issuers 93 times.¹

Board diversity

In Canada, only 21% of board directors are women (vs. 41% in France). This is an issue that Desjardins Funds focuses on when engaging with companies.

In 2017, Desjardins Funds voted against the chairs of the nominating committees or of the boards of directors of 49 companies due to a lack of female representation on the board. We also vote against the chairs of the nominating committees when the nominations do not include any female candidates.

Desjardins Group also became a signatory of the 30% Club Investor Group: Statement of Intent, designed to achieve a minimum of 30% female representation on the boards and at the executive management level by 2022.

To find out more about the results of Desjardins Funds’ shareholder activism, see the 2017 Shareholder Engagement report.

Desjardins Funds are not guaranteed; their value fluctuates frequently and their past performance is not indicative of their future returns. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. The Desjardins Funds are offered by registered dealers.