Quebec to hold hearings on socially responsible investment

The Public Finance Committee of the Quebec legislature will hold hearings this fall on the role of government in corporate social responsibility and socially responsible investment.

The hearings will focus on government policy in the area of corporate responsibility and social investment. In a consultation document, the committee states that the key question it would like presenters to address is: “Given the current status of corporate social responsibility and socially responsible investment, what role should the government play in its dealings with the private sector and in its own operations.”

The consultation paper notes the growing awareness of socially responsible investment, spurred by SRI pension disclosure requirements in the UK and other countries. As well, it notes growing market interest in SRI.

The consultation paper asks whether the government should take a more proactive role in encouraging corporate social responsibility, but it also sets out specific questions on SRI-related issues. These include:

“The Social Investment Organization commends the Quebec Public Finance Committee for its vision in recognizing the public policy importance of socially responsible investment,” said SIO Executive Director Eugene Ellmen. “We will certainly be making our views known to the Committee and we urge other legislatures to follow suit with similar consultations.”

Briefs must be received by the committee’s secretariat by Aug. 9 and hearings are scheduled to begin Sept. 9. For more information, visit the Quebec National Assembly

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