The SBAI Recognises CDPQ for its contribution to the industry at its Annual Forum in Canada

At its 11th Annual Canadian Institutional Investor Forum hosted in Montreal, Canada, which brought together leading investors and managers from North America and Europe, the Standards Board for Alternative Investments (SBAI) presented CDPQ, one of the longest-serving members of its Investor Chapter, with a plaque in recognition of its vision and leadership in the asset management industry as well as its tremendous contribution to the SBAI.

Mario Therrien, Head of Investment Funds and External Management at CDPQ and SBAI Chair, stated: “We were thrilled to be among the first institutional investors invited to join the SBAI Investor Chapter. The SBAI was founded when our industry needed standards, better governance, and transparency. We are proud to have supported this process and the SBAI.”

CDPQ joined the SBAI’s Investor Chapter in 2010 and was the first Canadian institutional investor to do so. CDPQ has played an instrumental role in bringing the Alternative Investment Standards to Canada and many Canadian institutional investors followed in CDPQ’s footsteps. Today, the Canadian institutional investors accounting for 2.2tn CAD in assets, form part of the SBAI’s community. CDPQ also has hosted the SBAI’s Annual Canadian Institutional Investment Forum for several years in Montreal.

Over the years, CDPQ has contributed in various ways to the SBAI’s activities, benefiting all investors involved and establishing a common understanding of investor expectations around industry practices. For instance, CDPQ has played a significant role in the SBAI’s Operational Due Diligence Community by sharing best practices. The institutional investor has also been very active in the SBAI’s Responsible Investment Working Group, sharing its expertise and participating in global discussions on the impact of investors, ESG considerations in alternative investments, and the implementation of ESG in allocator portfolios. CDPQ also contributes to global dialogue on the role of alternative investments among global peers, and building relationships with key decision-makers.

At the event, the SBAI honoured Mario Therrien, who is stepping down as the SBAI Chair. Elected as a Trustee in 2010, he became Board Chair in 2020.

The SBAI Team thanked Mario Therrien for his dedication and unwavering commitment to the SBAI’s mission and for leading the team: “We are grateful for your guidance and counsel over the last four years. We are in a better place today thanks to your skilful leadership.” The incoming Chair Jane Buchan, CEO of Martlet Asset Management, SBAI Trustee since 2014, added, “It has been a pleasure to work with Mario on the Board and we highly value his contribution as Trustee and Chair. Mario is a hard act to follow, and we will miss him”.

Mario Therrien thanked the SBAI for the opportunity to lead the organisation and reflected on his time as a Trustee and a Chair: “This role has been one of the most important and rewarding of my career. I am grateful for the dedication, energy and contribution of the SBAI Team over the last four years and wish our incoming Chair Jane Buchan great success as the important work of the SBAI continues.”

CDPQ invests constructively to generate sustainable returns over the long term. As a global investment group managing funds for public pension and insurance plans, it works alongside partners to build enterprises that drive performance and progress. CDPQ is active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. As at June 30, 2024, CDPQ’s net assets totalled CAD 452 billion. For more information, visit cdpq.com, consult its LinkedIn or Instagram pages, or follow CDPQ on X.

CDPQ is a registered trademark owned by Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and licensed for use by its subsidiaries.

The SBAI is an active alliance of over 150 alternative asset managers and over 100 institutional investors dedicated to advancing responsible practice, partnership, and knowledge. The SBAI advocates for an effective alternative investment ecosystem through robust standards and the exchange of ideas. For more information, please visit www.sbai.org.