Pension Pulse

HOOPP released its 2020 results posting strong gains that allow for benefit improvement for active members: The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) announced today that it generated an 11.42% rate of return in 2020. In addition, it surpassed the $100 billion asset milestone, closing the year at $104.0 billion in net assets, up from $94.1 billion at the end of 2019. The Plan’s funded status is 119%, meaning that for every dollar it owes in pensions it has $1.19 in assets. HOOPP has a 10-year annualized rate of return of 11.16%. In its latest report, consulting firm CEM Benchmarking found that HOOPP’s 10-year results were among the highest of pension plans worldwide, and was highest among CEM’s Canadian data set of 66 pension funds. “HOOPP is very pleased to have delivered strong results for our members in the Ontario healthcare sector, and to have done so during what remains an extremely challenging time for them,” said Jeff Wendling, President and CEO, HOOPP. “It ...

Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan released its 2020 results, delivering a strong total fund net return of 8.6%: Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers’) today announced a total-fund net return of 8.6% for the year. Net assets reached $221.2 billion as at December 31, 2020, a $13.8 billion increase from a year earlier. Ontario Teachers’ earned $18.0 billion in investment income in 2020. “Our portfolio proved to be very resilient during a turbulent year. Through the headwinds of a global pandemic and volatile investment landscape, we delivered strong financial results and high service levels for our members,” said Jo Taylor , President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our ability to navigate the many challenges posed in 2020 was anchored around the skill, agility and application of our team, which augurs well for the future despite the ongoing market uncertainties.” As of January 1, 2021, the plan was fully funded for an eighth consecutive year with a pre...

Sean Franklin wrote a special for the Toronto Star discussing how Charles Emond took over as the new leader of Quebec’s pension fund, then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. A year later, he’s found a lot to be proud of: “A lot of people talk about my impeccable timing,” laughs Charles Emond. He became CEO of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ)in February 2020, just one month before COVID-19 brought global commerce to a grinding halt. After formally introducing himself to media, clients and employees as the head of Canada’s second largest pension fund, he spent the month pulling all-nighters to report the fund’s 2019 investment results and push through a transaction making CDPQ the largest shareholder in rail transport giant Alstom. By the end of February he was receiving reports from CDPQ’s Singapore branch about the early stages of COVID-19 spread. And by the time he returned from a vacation in early March, Canada was heading into a lockdown that would all but complete...