Français Watch list Search Login Price & Performance Mutual funds ETFs Investor education Expert insights Advisor resources Share Print E-Mail Fidelity Investments Canada Responsible Investment Policy Our Responsible Investment Policy provides information on how Fidelity Investments Canada ULC1 undertakes investment stewardship. Information is provided on our approach to engagement and the integration of environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) considerations into our investment processes. A. Stewardship Fidelity primarily pursues active investment styles informed by rigorous bottom-up fundamental research. Our primary objective is to deliver long-term investment performance to our clients. Accordingly, we seek a thorough understanding of all aspects of the companies in which we invest. Fidelity believes that high standards of corporate responsibility generally make good business sense. The investment research process undertaken by our analysts and portfolio managers takes ESG issues into account when, in our view, these have a material impact on either investment risk or return potential. For our active investment strategies, regular engagement with company management teams informs our investment decisions and may also serve as a forum to encourage company management to improve procedures and policies. As a general policy, we aim to support the management of the companies in which we invest, but our dialogue with companies is a robust one, and we will form our own views on the strategy and governance of a business. On occasion, our views may differ from those of a company’s management or board. In certain situations, if differences with a company remain unresolved, we may vote against the board in a general meeting. We generally do not intervene on an operational matter; topics that have given rise to disagreements with management in the past include the need for management and/or board change, strategy, capital structure, M&A, protection of shareholder rights and executive compensation. Our specific response will always be determined on a case-by-case basis, and there will be instances when we choose to sell our shares. B. Investment research process For our active investment strategies, Fidelity’s investment analysts are typically the primary point of contact between Fidelity and companies in which we invest our funds. Analysts undertake extensive quantitative and qualitative analysis of potential investments. Formal meetings involving both portfolio managers and analysts are generally held with investee companies at least twice a year. Meetings are supplemented by site visits and ad hoc calls. Research sources may include customers, suppliers, competitors, external industry experts, sell-side investment analysts and other shareholders, contacted both directly and through intermediary networks. C. ESG integration ESG analysis is primarily carried out at the analyst level within our investment teams, and our portfolio managers may also be active in analyzing the potential effects of material ESG factors when making investment decisions. For our active investment strategies, our investment approach involves bottom-up research. As well as studying financial conditions and results, our portfolio managers and analysts carry out additional qualitative analysis of potential investments. They examine the business, customers and suppliers to develop a view on every company in which we invest. Examples of ESG factors that our investment teams may consider as part of their company and industry analysis include corporate governance (e.g., board structure, executive remuneration) shareholder rights (e.g., election of directors, capital amendments) changes to regulation (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions restrictions, governance codes) physical threats (e.g., extreme weather, climate change, water shortages) brand and reputational issues (e.g., poor health and safety record, cyber security breaches) supply chain management (e.g., increase in fatalities, lost time injury rates, labour relations) work practices (e.g., observation of health, safety and human rights provisions) Fidelity uses several external research sources that provide ESG-themed reports, and we subscribe to external ESG research providers to supplement our proprietary analysis. ESG ratings are industry specific and are calculated relative to industry peers, and we may use these ratings in conjunction with our wider analysis. Our sources of ESG research are reviewed on a regular basis. D. Subadvised assets In order to provide our clients access to a wide range of strong investment management talent, Fidelity delegates investment management responsibility for certain assets to various sub-advisors. All of our subadvisors have a responsible investment policy that outlines how ESG considerations are integrated into their investment process.2 Furthermore, all of our subadvisors have demonstrated a commitment to furthering the adoption and use of sustainable investment practices by becoming signatories to the United Nations–supported Principles for Responsible Investment. E. Voting Information to inform the voting process is derived from a variety of sources and includes material provided by the company, proxy voting advisory services and internal and external research. Discussions may also be held with investee companies themselves. All votes are cast in accordance with Fidelity’s established voting policies, after consultation with the relevant portfolio managers where appropriate.3 Fidelity’s approach to and policy regarding the exercise of voting rights are in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, as well as being consistent with the respective investment objectives of the various portfolios. In certain situations, where our views differ from those of a company’s management or board, we may seek to engage with management or the board at an early stage to try to resolve differences. Where this is not successful, we may decide to abstain, or to vote against a company’s recommendation. Our guiding principle is that voting rights should always be exercised in the best interest of our clients. We disclose our voting record for the preceding 12-month period ending June 30 on our website, and this information is updated once a year. F. Boards of directors A well-functioning board is critical to the success and long-term sustainability of a company. Fidelity continually assesses the integrity, competence and capacity of individual directors. We believe that adequate independence on a board and its committees is critical in protecting shareholder value. We strongly support companies assessing and, where relevant, improving the balance of independent representation on the board. The board should also hold individual directors accountable through performance evaluations on an ongoing basis. G. Remuneration It is in the interest of shareholders that boards should have the ability to attract and retain the highest quality of executive directors. In our view, setting appropriate remuneration levels is primarily the responsibility of the remuneration committee of the board, and this will be a market-based judgement, although all remuneration arrangements should be aligned with the interests of shareholders and be proportionate to the contribution of the individuals concerned. Companies should also seek to achieve an appropriate balance between the rewards to management and the returns to shareholders. We support the concept of variable remuneration and believe that properly crafted incentive plans play a role in aligning the interests of management and owners. We encourage management ownership of shares, and over time we expect executive directors to build a shareholding in the company that is material in relation to their remuneration. We strongly support the use of performance-driven vesting criteria and believe that these should incorporate a combination of absolute and relative return targets and a direct linkage to share price performance. In many markets, we also encourage a period of mandatory retention once a share award has vested. Remuneration to independent directors should always be appropriate in nature. Consideration should also be made to ensure that independent directors’ remuneration arrangements do not potentially undermine or compromise their independent oversight role. H. Climate change Fidelity recognizes that climate change poses risks to the long-term profitability and sustainability of companies. Investors are exposed to downside risks as a result of climate change, including the direct physical impacts of climate change (e.g., extreme weather events affecting agriculture and food supply, infrastructure, precipitation and water supply) and the impacts of policy measures directed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from certain economic sectors. While we recognize that individual sectors may be at different stages of development with respect to their awareness of climate change risks and integration of climate change factors into their risk analysis and business planning, we nevertheless expect companies to be directionally aspirational in their efforts to address the potential impact of climate change on their business. December 2020 Appendix Subadvisor responsible investment policies Additional information about the responsible investment approaches and practices of our subadvisors can be found in their respective responsible investment policies using the links below: Fidelity International Fidelity Investments Geode Capital Management Subadvisor proxy voting policies Additional information about the proxy voting practices of our subadvisors can be found on Fidelity’s proxy voting page. Share Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Twitter 1 “Fidelity.” The terms “we”, “our” and “us” refer to Fidelity. 2Additional information about the responsible investment approaches and practices of our subadvisors is available in their respective responsible investment policies, which can be found using the links in the appendix. 3 Additional information about the general proxy voting practices of our subadvisors is available in their respective proxy voting policies, which can be found using the links in the appendix. Commissions, fees and expenses may be associated with investment funds. Read a fund’s prospectus or offering memorandum and speak to an advisor before investing. Funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and investors may experience a gain or loss. Past performance may not be repeated. Read our privacy policy. By using or logging in to this website, you consent to the use of cookies as described in our privacy policy. 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