Our Activity Report 2023-2024
Published on May 22, 2024
The whole team is pleased to publish Æquo's 2022-2023 activity report which includes the analysis of our activities in 2022 as well as our 2023 action plan.
Update on Respect for Human Rights in the Supply Chain
Published on May 22, 2024
Investors are more than ever concerned about human rights violations in companies’ supply chains. According to the ILO, it was estimated in 2021 that 27.6 million people were in a forced labour situation—an increase of 2.7 million individuals...
Update on the Climate Crisis
Published on May 22, 2024
This year, once again, the climate crisis and energy transition issue was a priority in our dialogues with companies, especially those from the fossil fuel industry and financial services sector. As a reminder, 2023 was the warmest year on record...
Update on Biodiversity Preservation
Published on May 22, 2024
The world is facing an unprecedented biodiversity crisis. In fact, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has highlighted, among other things, the fact that one million animal and plant species...
Issues related to artificial intelligence technologies
Published on May 22, 2024
The technologies associated with artificial intelligence (AI) have revolutionized all industries, offering companies unprecedented opportunities to improve their efficiency and decision-making. On the other hand, as underscored by the ICGN, the...
Our Activity Report 2022-2023
Published on May 16, 2023
The whole team is pleased to publish Æquo's 2022-2023 activity report which includes the analysis of our activities in 2022 as well as our 2023 action plan.
Bâtirente and Gestion FÉRIQUE Ask Imperial Oil to Adopt an Absolute GHG Reduction Target
Published on April 6, 2023
Bâtirente and Gestion FÉRIQUE, with the support of Æquo, submitted a shareholder proposal to Imperial Oil Limited asking it to adopt a midterm corporate-wide target to reduce absolute greenhouse gas emissions (scope 1 and 2). Considering...
Isabelle Gagnon Named CEO of Ӕquo Shareholder Engagement Services
Published on August 17, 2022
Montréal, August 17, 2022 – Josée Cavalancia, Chairwoman of the Board, is proud to announce the appointment of Isabelle Gagnon as Chief Executive Officer of Æquo Shareholder Engagement Services. Ms. Gagnon joined the organization on August...
Our Activity Report 2021-2022
Published on June 9, 2022
We are pleased to publish our 2021-2022 activity report which includes the analysis and describes the impact of our activities in 2021 as well as our 2022 action plan.
Shareholders Ask Imperial Oil to Cease Exploration and Development of New Oil and Gas Fields
Published on May 5, 2022
A shareholder proposal was submitted by Bâtirente, with the support of Æquo, asking for Imperial Oil to adopt a policy of ceasing exploration and development of new oil and gas fields. The resolution garnered the support of 6,9% of votes of...
Bâtirente and FÉRIQUE Fund Management Highlight Imperial Oil's Climate Protection Efforts
Published on March 17, 2022
Montréal, March 17, 2022 – Bâtirente and FÉRIQUE Fund Management are highlighting the commitment of Imperial Oil to boost its efforts regarding climate protection. The petroleum company has committed to working on strengthening its absolute...
Our Activity Report 2020-2021
Published on May 13, 2021
We are pleased to present our 2020-2021 activity report which summarizes the analysis and impact of our activities in 2020 as well as our 2021 action plan.
A Majority of Shareholders Ask Imperial Oil to Adopt a Net-Zero Emissions Target
Published on May 6, 2021
The shareholder proposal submitted by Bâtirente, with the support of Æquo, to the Imperial Oil shareholder asked the company to aim for net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. This has garnered exceptional support of 58% of the minority...
The COVID-19 Crisis: An Opportunity for Pharmaceutical Companies to Demonstrate That They Are Driving Long-term Value Creation by Improving Access to Medicine
Published on April 16, 2021
Among the ESG issues that we discuss with pharmaceutical companies, access to medicine is an important one. Companies in this sector have a central role to play in reducing barriers to access to medicine around the world. This issue affects...
Climate Action 100+ Launches a New Tool To Assess the Alignment of Focus Companies With the Goals of the Initiative
Published on March 23, 2021
CA100+ has announced the launch of the Climate Action 100+ Net-Zero Company Benchmark, a new tool to assess focus company alignment with the goals of the initiative. All individual assessments are now live on their website, along with a complete set...
Bâtirente Seeks Net-zero GHG Emissions Target From Imperial Oil
Published on March 19, 2021
Montreal, March 8, 2021 – Bâtirente, with support from Æquo Shareholder Engagement Services (“Æquo”), submitted a shareholder proposal to the Imperial Oil Limited, asking the latter to adopt a corporate target that would enable it to...
Bâtirente Seeks Net-zero GHG Emissions Target From CIBC Bank
Published on March 5, 2021
Montreal, March 5, 2021 – Bâtirente welcomes the announcement by CIBC Bank regarding its intention to publish the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with its loans and investments, join the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials, and...
The Suspension of Keystone XL Is an Opportunity For TC Energy To Show Climate Leadership
Published on January 27, 2021
As was widely expected in a Biden win scenario, TC Energy suspended the Keystone XL project, likely putting an end to more than a decade of efforts and over 1$ billion in capital spending. In 2019, we strongly encouraged TC Energy to reassess its...
Investors Commend Enbridge’s Target Setting for Net Zero Carbon By 2050
Published on November 6, 2020
MONTREAL (Nov. 6 2020) - Æquo, a shareholder engagement services provider representing Canadian-based institutional investors, commends Enbridge’s decision to set a target to reach net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. Æquo has been...
Activity Report 2019-2020
Published on May 22, 2020
We are pleased to present the Æquo 2019-2020 activity report which summarizes the analysis and impact of our activities in 2019 as well as our 2020 action plan.
Climate Challenges: Shareholder Engagement As a Vehicle for Change
Published on March 9, 2020
In this article, we present the main reasons why we believe that shareholder engagement is an important tool for changing business practices in the context of the climate crisis. We also explore the way in which we believe this strategy...
Æquo in Calgary: Oil and Gas Companies and the Energy Transition
Published on January 13, 2020
Last fall, Æquo met with several oil and gas companies during our annual trip to Calgary to discuss carbon risk. One thing is clear: oil companies are competing to be the producer of the cleanest and greenest barrel of oil. One CEO told us he...
Æquo in Nunavut
Published on October 10, 2019
By François Meloche, Head of Corporate Engagement, Æquo As a corporate engager, most of my time is spent at the computer or on the phone with company representatives to discuss their ESG management. On occasion,...
Why Human Capital Should Be Part of Every Shareholder Dialogue
Published on July 30, 2019
“Our people are our most important asset.” “Our success depends highly on our ability to attract and retain talent.” “Our workforce represents the diverse communities we operate in.” These boilerplate statements should be familiar to...
Dollarama Publishes Its First ESG Report
Published on June 14, 2019
After many years of dialogue with Dollarama, we welcome the company’s first ESG report. However, there is still work to do, as evidenced by the number of questions about ESG issues raised during the last annual meeting. Marie-Eve Fournier (La...
Activity Report 2018
Published on May 9, 2019
We are pleased to present Æquo's Activity Report, which includes the highlights of 2018 as well as the engagement plans for 2019.
TC Energy Publishes First Climate Risk Report
Published on May 7, 2019
Montreal, May 7th, 2019- Æquo commends TC Energy (formerly TransCanada) for publishing its first comprehensive report on climate related risks and opportunities. The Report on Sustainability and Climate Change, which was released on May 3rd...
Josée Cavalancia Appointed as New Chairwoman of Æquo’s Board of Directors
Published on April 5, 2019
April 5, 2019 [Montréal] - We are pleased to announce the appointment of Josée Cavalancia as the new Chairwoman of Æquo’s Board of Directors. Josée has served as a director since 2017, bringing her extensive background in entrepreneurship,...
What is a green investment?
Published on January 31, 2019
La Presse reporter, Isabelle Dubé, asked Jean-Philippe Renaut to define what a "green fund" is. According to him, to have the answer, we should understand the value of the person asking the question. See the article here (in French).
Our Comments Regarding the Consultation on Vehicle Emission Standards in Canada
Published on September 27, 2018
SUMMARY In connection with the consultation on the midterm evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions regulations for 2022 to 2025 model year passenger automobiles and light-duty trucks in Canada, Æquo, Shareholder Engagement Services (Æquo)...
Couche-Tard to Release First Sustainability Report by Next Annual General Meeting in 2019
Published on September 24, 2018
Following our longstanding engagement with the company and a meeting with several senior executives a few days before the general meeting, it is with great interest that we read Couche-Tard's recent clarification regarding two shareholder proposals....
A Number of Couche-Tard Investors Ask the Company for More Transparency on its Management of Environmental and Social Issues
Published on August 30, 2018
Press release and Globe and Mail article of August 30, 2018: With the support of Æquo, a number of Couche-Tard shareholders press for more disclosure related to environmental and social issues. PRESS RELEASE Disclosure...
The Conclusions of the Quebec Summit for a Just Energy Transition
Published on May 31, 2018
On May 23rd and 24th, at The Palais de Congrès de Montréal, the Just Energy Transition Summit was organized by the Institut du Nouveau Monde in collaboration with the CSN, the FTQ, Fondaction, the David Suzuki Foundation, the Fonds de solidarité...
Æquo Announces a New Business Partnership
Published on April 27, 2018
We are pleased to announce a new business partnership between Æquo and Desjardins Global Asset Management (DGAM), the institutional portfolio manager for the Desjardins Group. PRESS RELEASE Æquo announces a new business partnership...
Æquo invites applications to fill the new position of Director – Corporate Engagement (Position filled)
Published on April 16, 2018
The team is seeking a new director to lead a number of dialogues with targeted companies. Following the signing of an agreement with a major partner, a new program was recently implemented, aimed at American companies.
Activity Report 2017
Published on April 10, 2018
Our Activity Report contains the highlights of 2017 and our engagement plan for 2018.
TransCanada to Disclose its Energy Transition Strategy Following Request by Quebec Shareholders
Published on March 13, 2018
Press release and Globe and Mail article of March 13, 2018: Æquo is proud to have been directly involved in a shareholder proposal encouraging Alberta energy infrastructure company TransCanada to better communicate its consideration of climate...
Resistance Movement Against the Gun Industry
Published on February 26, 2018
We commented, in the “L’heure du monde » radio show (Radio Canada), the recent position of Florida Teacher’s fund to divest of gun-maker stocks, following the Parkland shooting (Florida). We had the opportunity to discuss the benefits of...
PRI Publishes Guide on Active Ownership in Listed Equity
Published on February 16, 2018
The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) has just published a new guide on active ownership. It aims in particular to provide practical suggestions to investors interested to develop a constructive dialogue with investee companies. Æquo is...
Invest in Fossil Fuel Companies to Change them
Published on February 5, 2018
An article from Le Devoir on shareholder engagement practices with fossil fuel companies, in a context of energy transition. Article
Investor Initiative for the Safety of Garment Workers in Bangladesh
Published on January 26, 2018
Quebec investors urge businesses to support the safety of Bangladeshi garment workers.
AXA and World Bank Pledge to Divest from Fossil Fuels
Published on December 13, 2017
Today saw AXA committing to avoiding all projects in extraction of worst forms of oil and coal extraction, and ban on insuring tar sands and pipelines projects. In parallel, the World Bank pledged to no longer fund oil and gas exploration. Busy days...
The 25th Anniversary of the Earth Summit
Published on June 15, 2017
25 years of the Earth Summit: Our colleague Francois Meloche was there! Sidney Ribaux (Equiterre) and François comment on the catalytic effect of this historic event on the RDI television network. Video (in French)