The Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System today released the updated versions of both its Investment Practices and Proxy Voting Guidelines. As one of the largest pension plans in Canada, OMERS expects companies to focus attention on generating value for shareholders through sound corporate governance.

OMERS believes that high ethical and environmental standards add to long-term financial performance. OMERS approach to socially responsible investment is outlined in its Investment Practices booklet, along with OMERS approach to investment objectives, investment horizon, and risk management.

“A company that shows respect for its employees, the environment, the community in which it does business, and human rights is being socially responsible and tends to earn better returns,” said OMERS board chair, Rick Miller. “The OMERS board feels that a corporation should account for all aspects that affect shareholder value. That’s reflected in our Investment Practices, Proxy Voting Guidelines and Statement of Investment Policies and Procedures, which are all available on the OMERS Web site.”

“Well managed, well governed companies produce better long-term investment returns,” said Miller. “One of the most important aspects of corporate governance concerns the way voting rights are exercised. OMERS approach is to exercise its voting rights as a fiduciary in the best interests of all pension plan members.”