History

The origins of SRI date back thousands of years. In biblical times, Jewish laws laid down directives on how to invest according to ethical values. In the U.S., Quakers practised SRI as early as the 18th century, based on their beliefs in human equality and non-violence, but SRI has only come into modern favour in the last 20 years.

The social climate of the 1960s raised concerns about civil rights, the environment and militarism. The turning point in the U.S. came during the campaign to eliminate the institutionalized racial discrimination of Apartheid in South Africa.

Today, hundreds of thousands of Canadians have embraced the concept of investing according to their beliefs, and yet, many believe that the industry is still in its infancy compared to market surveys and the experience in other countries.