Canada’s pension plan, managed by CPP Investments (CPPIB), could be investing significantly more in domestic infrastructure such as housing and transportation. However, current figures show that while 42% of the fund’s value is invested in the U.S., less than 12% is invested in Canada.
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The Shift in Investment Focus
Back in 2007, 55% of the fund’s assets were invested in Canada. Fast forward to 2024, and the focus has shifted drastically, with only 12% of the fund’s value remaining in Canadian investments. CPPIB CEO John Graham acknowledges that this 12% allocation is still considered high relative to Canada’s contribution to the global economy, which is only 3% of global GDP. According to Graham, this reduction in domestic investment is part of a strategy for “careful diversification” aimed at maximizing returns.
The Mandate of CPP Investments
The primary mandate of CPP Investments is to achieve the maximum rate of return without undue risk of loss. This has led to a global investment strategy that seeks out the best returns, even if that means investing less in Canada. Michel Leduc, Global Head of Public Affairs and Communications at CPP Investments, emphasized that pension contributions exist to pay pension benefits, not to pursue social or economic development objectives. This stance stems from the original formulation of the CPPIB Act, which explicitly ruled out using the fund for social policy.
The Case for a Dual Mandate
While CPP Investments’ current strategy is effective in maximizing returns, there’s a growing argument that now is the time to introduce a dual mandate—similar to that of Québec’s Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ). The CDPQ has operated under a dual mandate from its inception, balancing optimal returns with contributions to Québec’s economic development.
Given that CPP Investments is now valued at $632 billion, it’s time to consider how the fund can benefit Canada beyond just achieving high returns. A new mandate could require that a minimum percentage of the fund’s investments—say 20%—be directed towards projects with a social purpose. This approach is already being adopted by other large pension funds globally. For example, Dutch pension fund ABP, which manages $750 billion, plans to allocate 30 billion euros by 2030 to investments in climate solutions, affordable housing, sustainable energy, and innovation.
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The Benefits of Domestic Impact Investments
Imagine the impact if CPP Investments redirected some of its capital towards domestic projects like affordable housing in Toronto or a high-speed rail connecting Toronto and Montreal. Such investments would provide tangible benefits to Canadians, far outweighing the marginally higher returns from international investments in sectors like casinos and gaming.
Critics might argue that impact investments could lower the fund’s overall returns. However, according to Canada’s chief actuary, the fund only needs to achieve an annual return of 6.2% to remain solvent for the next 75 years. CPP Investments currently aims for returns of 9-10%, indicating a risk appetite that goes beyond what is necessary for financial sustainability.
A New Vision for CPP Investments
If a revised CPPIB Act required 20% of the fund to be invested in a “social purpose portfolio,” even if these investments generated a modest 2% annual return, the fund would still easily exceed the target returns needed for long-term sustainability. Such a shift would ensure that future pensions are secure while also addressing pressing social and economic needs in Canada.
An 80-20 investment model, where 80% of the fund’s assets remain indexed to global equity and bond markets and 20% are directed towards impact investments, would be transformative for Canada. It would allow CPP Investments to recalibrate its moral compass and better serve the nation it was created to support.
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