About Our Business – Page 4 – CC&L Financial Group Ltd.

As Pride Month draws to a close, the CC&L Foundation and employees successfully raised $13,200 for Rainbow Railroad. Throughout June, CC&L Financial Group and its affiliates actively championed the cause of LGBTQ+ individuals, demonstrating our support for their safety and right to live authentically regardless of geographic boundaries.

We encourage individuals and organizations alike to continue supporting LGBTQ+ equality. By amplifying voices, providing resources and advocating for change, we can collectively work towards building a society that celebrates the rights and identities of all people, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

About Rainbow Railroad

Rainbow Railroad is a renowned Canadian organization dedicated to assisting LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide who face violence, persecution or discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Through a network of volunteers and partners, Rainbow Railroad provides vital resources, support and safe travel options, enabling LGBTQ+ individuals to escape oppressive environments and rebuild their lives with dignity and freedom. Learn more about this important work at rainbowrailroad.org.

Global Alpha has a new addition as our Senior Compliance Manager. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Sabrina Lacroix!

Sabrina brings a wealth of experience to Global Alpha having previously served as the Director of Regulatory Compliance and Controls at Trans-Canada Capital Inc. and in progressively senior positions at Hexavest Inc., including Vice President of Compliance & Legal Affairs.

She earned her Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from McGill University and is a CFA charterholder.

As our Senior Compliance Manager, Sabrina will be responsible for overseeing compliance operations and ensuring that our investment activities align with regulations. Her contributions to maintaining a culture of compliance and navigating complex legal landscapes will be invaluable to our firm’s success.

Kevin Leon, CEO and President of Crestpoint.

From Lego towers to managing billions, meet Crestpoint’s founder, CEO and President, Kevin Leon.

Read his story

We at CC&L Investment Management believe that if we can successfully tackle the key issues contributing to the leadership gender imbalance, we will substantially broaden the talent pool from which great leaders emerge and create better business outcomes.

This belief led to the founding of our Women in Leadership (WiL) initiative in 2021, which focuses on expanding leadership talent by identifying and addressing issues that have contributed to gender gaps within our organization, industry and society at large.

The work of our collective initiative has resulted in recommendations for new strategic priorities that directly target issues uncovered through discussions and research. An important – and unexpected – discovery has been that the solutions identified to break down the leadership gender imbalance also solve issues that extend beyond gender. In other words, while our focus began with women, the outcomes of our recommendations benefit everyone.

What follows is a high-level summary of WiL’s findings and proposed solutions; however, if you’re interested in learning more about our work, we would love to connect. Please contact us through this link.

Collaborating to unleash potential

Led by a committee with engagement from the majority of women in our organization, WiL’s primary objectives are:

Identifying the root causes and key issues regarding gender imbalance both within and outside of our organization.
Proposing solutions to proactively right size that imbalance.

Underpinning our initiative is a considerable volume of academic, media and industry research on workplace gender (in)equality. In aggregate, these findings overwhelmingly point to a systemic and persistent theme that spans almost every industry: the more senior, technical and higher-profile the jobs, the smaller the proportion of women in these roles.

We recognize that many drivers of gender inequality are outside our organization’s control, but also that our interconnectedness as industry players and members of society has tangible implications for CC&L’s ability to effect change.

Our approach in action

When examining this multi-dimensional problem, we took a bottom-up approach as to why women weren’t reaching their full potential at work. For instance, we conducted extensive interviews internally and externally as well as brainstorming sessions and in-depth research. Through this process, we identified key issues facing women in our workplace and distilled these further to determine their underlying root causes. From there, we crafted solutions to directly address the most important root causes. This involved breaking down the WiL initiative into four key areas:

Societal norms

What we looked at: Gender-related expectations (e.g., familial obligations and caregiving responsibilities) and how to promote an equal playing field for our employees both at work and at home.
Our recommendations: Aimed at mitigating challenges associated with parental leave and division of household labour, with the goal of establishing better support systems for employees.

Leadership competencies and qualities

What we looked at: Identifying and eliminating gender-related impediments to leadership development, allowing equal opportunity to grow into higher-level positions.
Our recommendations: Ongoing, 360-degree feedback between managers and employees and a clearly aligned vision for career progression.

Work environment

What we looked at: Identifying enhancements in how we interact that could remove barriers to career progression. In male-dominated fields, women may struggle to build relationships and feel part of the team. Their confidence may be impacted such that they are reluctant to give and receive feedback or voice and pursue ambitious goals.
Our recommendations: Foster a safe and inclusive workplace that nurtures professional development.

Hiring

What we looked at: Achieving a more gender-balanced workforce supported by hiring practices that address gender-based constraints. Areas of focus include:
- The talent pool: There is an underrepresentation of women in senior positions.
  Our recommendations: Seek to improve gender balance in the overall talent pool over time by focusing on entry-level applicants and career development.
- CC&L’s application pool: Gender imbalances at both senior and entry levels.
  Our recommendations: Focus on increasing the likelihood of receiving applications from experienced women, as well as developing awareness about how women can succeed in capital markets.
- Our hiring process: Unconscious bias can screen out qualified women.
  Our recommendations: Implementing hiring practices and success measures that minimize unconscious bias.

A brighter future for all

We adopted a gender-neutral approach in designing our solutions, which not only promotes inclusivity and diversity but also enhances the overall quality of our work environment. While the task of implementing the more than 20 solutions (outlined in our full report) may seem ambitious, we believe that by breaking it down into smaller, actionable steps, we can effectively prioritize and execute our recommendations over a multi-year period, ensuring we achieve our objectives. We expect that the WiL initiative will continue to grow and evolve over time as needs and expectations change through the implementation process. This will likely result in periodic adjustments to the longer-term implementation roadmap.

By coming together to reinforce a culture of fairness, open dialogue and opportunities, we create conditions for success. With this in mind, we are hopeful that the positive impacts of our WiL initiative will ripple across our organization and into the communities where we live and do business – leading to better leadership, stronger teams and a brighter future for all.

If you’re interested in learning more about our work, we would love to connect. Please fill out the form below:

Connor, Clark & Lunn Funds Inc. (the “Manager”) has amended language on its website in an effort to clarify that ESG factors and representations made by the Manager are not investment objectives, nor do they form a material element of the investment strategies of its publicly offered mutual funds. The following statement was removed at the request of Ontario Securities Commission Staff in the course of an issue-oriented review of ESG-related funds: “CC&L Funds is committed to engaging in responsible corporate behavior as it relates to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns and seeks to make investments that not only generate superior returns for its investors but have a positive impact on the society, environment, and markets in which they operate.”

In addition to amending its website, the Manager has updated the disclosure in the simplified prospectus for its alternative mutual funds prospectus and is in the process of updating the simplified prospectus for its conventional mutual funds in order to provide specific disclosure to investors regarding the role that ESG factors and considerations play in the investment decision-making process of certain funds.

Funds included in the Manager’s alternative mutual fund simplified prospectus:

CC&L Alternative Income Fund
CC&L Global Long/Short Fund
CC&L Global Market Neutral II Fund
PCJ Absolute Return II Fund

Funds included in the Manager’s conventional mutual fund simplified prospectus:

CC&L Core Income & Growth Fund
CC&L Diversified Income Portfolio
CC&L Equity Income & Growth Fund
CC&L Global Alpha Fund
CC&L High Yield Bond Fund
NS Partners International Equity Focus Fund

About Connor, Clark & Lunn Funds Inc.

Connor, Clark & Lunn Funds Inc. (CC&L Funds) partners with leading Canadian financial institutions and their investment advisors to deliver unique institutional investment strategies to individual investors through a select offering of funds, alternative investments and separately managed accounts.

By limiting the offering to a focused group of investment solutions, CC&L Funds is able to deliver unique and differentiated strategies designed to enhance traditional investor portfolios. For more information, please visit cclfundsinc.com.

About Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group Ltd.

Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group Ltd. (CC&L Financial Group) is an independently owned, multi-affiliate asset management firm that provides a broad range of traditional and alternative investment management solutions to institutional and individual investors. CC&L Financial Group brings significant scale and expertise to the delivery of non-investment management functions through the centralization of all operational and distribution functions, allowing talented investment managers to focus on what they do best. CC&L Financial Group’s affiliates manage over $104 billion in assets. For more information, please visit cclgroup.com.

For further information, please contact:

Lisa Wilson
Manager, Product & Client Service
Connor, Clark & Lunn Funds Inc.
416-864-3120
[email protected]

Each year, the CC&L Foundation supports numerous not-for-profit organizations across Canada in support of:

promoting a better environment;
improving education;
advancing science and medicine;
creating stronger communities; and
encouraging the arts.

In particular, it aims to support organizations in which our employees or partners have a personal connection and have made financial or time commitments.

CC&L Foundation commits $125,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta

In 2022, the CC&L Foundation committed $125,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta. The Ronald McDonald House supports families who need to travel while seeking vital medical treatment for their seriously sick or injured child. They provide a home-away-from-home when those families are experiencing one of life’s most difficult times. Each year, thousands of families will stay at one of the four Ronald McDonald houses in Alberta, and stays can last anywhere from a few nights to several months.

Currently, Ronald McDonald Houses are only able to serve 14% of those who need to travel for pediatric care within Alberta. This results in some families being turned away to make their own arrangements, sometimes resulting in keeping families away from their children. To expand capacity and assist in meeting the high demand, Ronald McDonald Houses are in the process of doubling their capacity in Edmonton and Calgary. The CC&L Foundation’s donation is contributing to these expansion projects.

CC&L Private Capital volunteers at Home for Dinner

Jim Kapeluck is a Wealth Advisor with our CC&L Private Capital team in Edmonton. Earlier this year, Jim and the local team volunteered at one of the Ronald McDonald ‘Home for Dinner’ nights. The team prepared and served meals to families in need.

Find out more about the work of the CC&L Foundation.

Image of Banyan employees in boardroom meeting

Banyan Capital Partners, a leading Canadian middle-market private equity firm, is pleased to announce the following updates from 2022 which marked another successful year for the firm.

New Hires and Promotions

Scott Morrison has been promoted to Vice President, Business Development
Chris Luongo has been promoted to Associate
Marat Altinbaev joined in April 2022 as Vice President
Michael Tan joined in August 2022 as Senior Analyst

Banyan’s success depends on its ability to attract, develop, and retain high-quality talent.

Learn more about our team.

Portfolio Spotlight

Innovative Surface Solutions

In Banyan’s first year of ownership, three new executives were hired:
• Mike Betts joined as VP Sales & Marketing
• Jason Bagley joined as COO
• Anand Khanzode joined as CFO

Image of mountain bike in bike rack on top of car

Rack Attack

Rack Attack added 14 new locations in Canada and the U.S. during the year, bringing the total store count to 38 across North America.

The Company’s expansion efforts are set to continue in 2023 with the opening of additional stores throughout the year.

Purity Life

Purity Life opened a new 40,000 square foot facility in Laval, QC, expanding its distribution network to over 150,000 square feet across Canada.

Newcrete

Newcrete completed the acquisition of R&L Contracting, a concrete forming business in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

MIP

MIP Inc. announced the appointment of Dean Johnson to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer.

Learn more about our current investment portfolio

Launch of the Banyan Operating Partner Network and welcoming Jason Grouette

In December 2022, Banyan partnered with Jason Grouette, a former 3M executive to target investment opportunities in the safety and industrial B2B space.

Learn more about our Operating Partner Network

New Investments

We look forward to another successful year and are excited to explore new investments and partnerships with middle market businesses across North America. We continue to invest out of our $216 million committed capital fund targeting investments between $10 million and $50 million of equity per transaction in companies with EBITDA of at least $5 million.

Do you have an opportunity in mind?

Learn more about our investment criteria or reach out to us to start a conversation.

TORONTO, ON, January 17, 2023 – Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Ltd. (“Crestpoint”) today announced the completion of two industrial investments with a combined market value of over $180 million.

On December 15, 2022,Crestpoint acquired 7307 Meadow Avenue, a 100% leased, multi-tenant industrial portfolio comprised of six (6) buildings totaling over 190,000 square feet. Centrally located in Burnaby’s “Big Bend” industrial node, the primary and most amenity rich industrial sub-market in Metro Vancouver, the portfolio benefits from strong access to major highways, providing excellent connectivity to downtown Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Crestpoint acquired a 50% interest in the property on behalf of the Crestpoint Core Plus Real Estate Strategy, its open-end Fund, with a local investor/developer acquiring the other 50%.

On December 19 Crestpoint acquired 190 Summerlea Road, a 100% leased industrial property located in Brampton, Ontario. The ~305,000 square foot property is situated on a 24.8 acre site located in Bramalea Business Park in Brampton, Ontario, which includes 10 acres of excess land. The asset benefits from close proximity to a number of major highways and streets and provides excellent connectivity to Pearson Airport, CN Rail’s Brampton Intermodal, and the rest of the GTA. Crestpoint acquired a 50% interest in the property on behalf of the Crestpoint Core Plus Real Estate Strategy, its open-end Fund, with the remaining 50% being acquired on behalf of another institutional client of Crestpoint’s.

The closing of these acquisitions brings Crestpoint’s total assets under management to over $9.5 billion and 35.4 million square feet. This caps off a very active and productive 12 months, which saw the completion of approximately $1.9 billion of acquisitions involving office, industrial, retail, and multi-family opportunities. It was also a very strong 2022 in terms of performance and we would like to thank all of our partners and investors for their tremendous support.

About Crestpoint

Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Ltd. is a commercial real estate investment manager dedicated to providing investors with direct access to a diversified portfolio of commercial real estate assets. Crestpoint is part of the Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group, a multi-boutique asset management company that provides investment management products and services to institutional and high net-worth clients. With offices across Canada and in Chicago, London, and Gurugram, India, Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group, and its affiliates are collectively responsible for the management of approximately $104 billion in assets. For more information, please visit: www.crestpoint.ca.

Contact

Elizabeth Steele
Director, Client Relations
Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Ltd.
(416) 304-8743
[email protected]

We are excited to announce Banyan has recently partnered with Jason Grouette to target investment opportunities within the Personal Protective Equipment (manufacturing and distribution), Engineered Safety Systems, Safety Services and Repair, and Industrial B2B spaces.

Jason is a former 3M Executive who, since 2005, has led various business units in Canada and the USA, ranging from $100M to >$1.5B. Most recently Jason led 3M’s N95 pandemic response across Canada and the USA while leading the Personal Safety Division.

Jason has engaged with Banyan Capital Partners as an Operating Partner with the objective of finding, acquiring and leading a business in the industrial safety space.

Learn more about our investment criteria with Jason.

As we continue to add investments to our portfolio, you could be the next partner. Come join our Operating Partner Network and let’s go buy and build a business together.

Volunteer in orange vest gives a box of food donation to fleeing refugees from Ukraine.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has displaced over 12 million Ukrainians, with many seeking refuge in neighbouring countries and beyond. The CC&L Foundation has stepped up to provide vital humanitarian aid. Through two successful fundraising campaigns, the Foundation has raised $409,000 in support of eleven organizations such as Help Us Help and the Canada-Ukraine Foundation.

The impact of these funds has been far reaching, including:

Delivery of food boxes to almost 1 million people in 21 oblasts
Provision of bulletproof vests, food, shelter and assistance in relocating families
War Trauma Therapy program started for 9,900 children
Purchase of 1,000 new firefighting sets of personal equipment
Re-launch of the Canada-Ukraine Surgical Aid Program
Delivery of supplies and medicine to 78 hospitals across Ukraine
Delivery of 140 metric tons of buckwheat seeds for harvest in October, providing much-needed food security

The Foundation’s efforts have also extended to the Ukrainian-Canadian community, with the Displaced Ukrainians Appeal funding over 1,000 displaced children to attend summer camps in Canada.

Through its various charitable initiatives and the dedication of volunteers, the CC&L Foundation continues to make a positive impact in the lives of Ukrainians affected by the conflict, providing necessary help and hope for a better tomorrow.

Learn more about the work of the CC&L Foundation.