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A proud history

We are proud of our trailblazing legacy as a pioneer of a public pension model that has been emulated around the world. Since then, our milestone moments show a tradition of challenging the status quo and expanding our global footprint.

Golden Hour Adventure
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We led the birth of a uniquely Canadian pension model

In the 1980s, the Ontario government initiated intensive reforms to modernize the administration and investment of public pension plans. The result? Ontario Teachers’ was born with the opportunity to engage in a richer and more diversified approach to asset allocation. As a fiduciary and an active, engaged investor, we’re not afraid to push boundaries and borders to serve our members.

Some key early decisions that led to our success include:

  • Establishing Ontario Teachers’ as an arm’s length pension organization from the government
  • Defining the sponsors’ roles through a sponsorship agreement between teachers’ unions and the government
  • Appointing a respected former governor of the Bank of Canada, Gerald Bouey, as the founding chair
  • Appointing an actuary and insurance executive, Claude Lamoureux, who initiated several reforms to run the organization like a business
  • Hiring an experienced executive team who invested plan assets in public equities and modernized the plan’s administration and member services.

A history of trailblazing

  • 1990

    Ontario Teachers' was established on January 1, 1990

  • 1991

    Initiated direct investing in private equity and infrastructure

  • 1995

    Became the largest shareholder in Cadillac Fairview

  • 2000

    Acquired real estate subsidiary Cadillac Fairview

  • 2002

    Co-founded the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance

  • 2007

    Added climate change to our ERM system. Made our first direct investments in London. Opened our office in London.

  • 2010

    Produced guidelines for managing climate change

  • 2011

    Became signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment

  • 2012

    Implemented a responsible investing strategy built on awareness, knowledge and application. Implemented environmental, social and governance (ESG) due diligence tool for private capital.

  • 2013

    Developed responsible investing principles.

  • 2015

    Developed guidelines for managing environmental and social risks. Launched our climate change engagement.

  • 2017

    Launched the Low Carbon Economy Transition Framework

  • 2018

    Published our first portfolio carbon footprint

  • 2019

    Started using our ESG Maturity Framework for oil & gas and mining deals. Issued our inaugural Climate Change Report. Published guidance for environmental and social shareholder proposals

  • 2020

    Made a commitment to be net-zero by 2050. Strengthened proxy voting guidelines for climate oversight and net-zero alignment. Increased global engagement activity. Continued advocating for higher levels of transparency. Opened our office in Singapore

  • 2021

    Opened our office in San Francisco

  • 2022

    Opened our office in Mumbai

 

 

A capital market screen

Today

Before 1990, assets of the plan had been invested in government bonds only. Today, Ontario Teachers’ carries out a bold and ambitious mandate of investing globally in fixed income, public and private equity markets, real estate, infrastructure, natural resources, credit, and venture capital through the Teachers’ Venture Growth (TVG).