We are required to prudently manage the fund so that the obligations of the pension plan are met. We have a fiduciary duty, which means we must take extra care in our investment decisions because we are dealing with other people’s money.

And we cannot select or exclude investments solely on the basis of social or environmental factors, or any other non-financial criteria. Members who wish to raise these issues can contact the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF).

	What we do
	Seek the best returns for our members with appropriate risk
	Demonstrate fiduciary care in our investment decisions
	Comply with regulations under the Ontario Pension Benefits Act and other relevant legislation
	Consider all material performance-related factors, including environmental, social and governance risks
	Complete extensive due diligence on companies in which we invest
	Encourage good governance
	Exercise proxy voting rights
	Engage with management in companies we own directly if deemed appropriate

Our primary responsibility is to act in the best financial interests of the fund. This focus insulates the fund from inappropriate or undue bias from not only investment staff, but also plan sponsors, individual members and other parties.

At the same time, we recognize environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters as potential risk factors that can affect a company’s performance – and its returns to the plan. That’s why we consider them in our investment decisions when they pose material risk and press for good governance in the companies in which we invest.