Collaboration

Because we care about developing a greater understanding of SRI issues and finding better solutions to them, Desjardins Funds lends its support to a community of like-minded investors and other involved parties.

Collaboration lets us share available information and broadcast the SRI message to a wider audience. It also helps us attract other investors, thereby forming stronger coalitions that can advocate for improvement in

• Companies’ environmental, social, and governance policies
• Industry standards
• Public policy and national and international regulations

Our SRI specialists are responsible for developing and managing partnerships with professional associations in which Desjardins is a member.

Social Investment Organization

The Social Investment Organization (SIO), or Canadian Association for Socially Responsible Investment, is made up of financial institutions, investment companies, financial advisers, and various organizations involved in ethical investing.

As a sustaining member, Desjardins has a seat on the board of directors and actively supports the association in its mandate to promote socially responsible investing in Canada.

UN Principles for Responsible Investment

Launched in 2005, the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) bring together more than 575 institutional investors and investment companies around the world and represent over $20 trillion in assets under management.*

Based on the view that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues can affect the performance of investment portfolios, the PRI suggest that responsible investment is an integral part of fiduciary duty. Since Desjardins is committed to serving the long-term interests of our investors, we undertake to respect the six PRI:

1. Incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.
2. Be active investors and incorporate ESG issues into our shareholder policies and practices.
3. Seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest.
4. Promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles by asset management stakeholders.
5. Work with PRI members to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles.
6. Individually report on our activities and progress toward implementing the Principles.

Canadian Boreal Initiative

Established in 2001 by the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI) is a national convener for conservation in Canada's Boreal Forest. CBI works with conservation organizations, First Nations, industry and other interested parties - including members of the Boreal Leadership Council (BLC) - to link science, policy and conservation solutions across Canada's Boreal Forest.

Desjardins Funds is a member of the Boreal Leadership Council, supported by the CBI. Joining this group of leaders is in keeping with the socially responsible investing initiatives made by Desjardins Funds in recent years.

*As at December 31, 2009