TORONTO—The Canadian investor advocacy group SHARE will open the market at Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) on Friday, March 21, to mark the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The event will highlight the importance of diversity and equity in building competitive Canadian capital markets and developing talent and innovation within Canadian companies.
The ceremony, hosted in collaboration with TMX Group, will bring together institutional investors, asset managers and financial leaders to celebrate the progress being made in building more productive and inclusive capital markets and corporations, while acknowledging the continued work needed to eliminate racial discrimination and remove bias in recruitment, hiring, advancement, and board and executive appointment processes.
“TMX’s purpose is to make markets better and empower bold ideas,” said Tala Zarbafi, Chief Operating Officer and Transformation Officer, Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX).
“In keeping with this purpose, we are committed to finding real-world, long-term solutions to be more inclusive — enabling under-represented groups more access and better opportunities to participate in our markets.”
Yulena Wan, Co-Chair of SHARE’s Board of Directors and Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at the Hamilton Community Foundation, will deliver remarks.
“As an investor and foundation leader, I have seen firsthand how inclusivity strengthens communities and drives sustainable growth for businesses,” said Wan.
“At a time when efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion are being questioned, this is a moment to celebrate the progress we’ve made in Canadian markets, while reinforcing the need for ongoing commitment.”
Neethan Shan, Executive Director of the Urban Alliance on Race Relations, noted that investors have a critical role to play in helping to eliminate racial discrimination.
“Societal change on this scale requires participation and leadership from all sectors. Businesses and investors have a critical role to play,” said Shan.
“Many Canadian companies and institutions recognize that anti-racism and equity are not just social priorities; they are economic and business imperatives. This event is an opportunity for investors and corporate issuers alike to reaffirm their collective commitment to advancing, not retreating.”
The market open ceremony will take place from 8:45 to 9:30 a.m. at the TMX Market Centre, 120 Adelaide St. W.
For media inquiries, please contact Adam Burns, SHARE Communications Manager at aburns@share.ca or 1.604.695.2037 x8046.
About SHARE: SHARE, the Shareholder Association for Research and Education, is a Canadian leader in responsible investment services, providing shareholder engagement, advisory services, research, leadership development, and policy advocacy for a growing network of Canadian pension plans, universities, foundations, Indigenous trusts and other institutions. Learn more at https://share.ca.
