Dînner Conférence

Ian Charest - Vice Président Trésorerie

La Caisse

We are honoured to welcome Ian Charest, Vice President, Treasury at la Caisse, one of Canada’s most significant public financial institutions and a key player in global capital markets. This event will offer an exclusive perspective on how la Caisse structures, finances, and transforms its activities to support Québec’s economy and position itself among the world’s leading institutional investors.

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Our guest will address the following key themes:

La Caisse: mission, assets, and global presence

La Caisse’s mission is to grow the savings of Quebecers sustainably by investing in companies, infrastructure, and projects that contribute to Québec’s economic vitality and to the long-term growth of the overall portfolio. With a presence on several continents and billions in diversified assets—public equities, fixed income, private equity, real estate, infrastructure—the organization stands out through a disciplined and innovative long-term approach.

Its main strategic orientations include:
• Sustainable investment and the climate transition
• Economic development in Québec
• Support for innovation and emerging technologies
• Structured, responsible international expansion

The Treasury: a central pillar of la Caisse’s financial strategy

At the core of this financial architecture, the Treasury ensures that la Caisse has the resources required to support its investments, optimize its portfolio, and maintain prudent risk management.

Its responsibilities include:
• Managing and deploying funding programs across global capital markets
• Managing liquidity and strategic reserves
• Financial optimization, including arbitrage, duration management, and hedging
• Maintaining a robust financing framework aligned with international standards

Funding programs: scope, mechanisms, and governance

The presentation will explore the main programs overseen by the Treasury, including:
• Their purpose and strategic importance
• The instruments used: global bonds, MTNs, private placements, green bonds, etc.
• The markets and geographic regions targeted
• Governance, compliance, and credit ratings that enable access to diversified, cost-effective capital

Market access, investor relations, and instrument development

Mr. Charest will also explain how la Caisse maintains an active and recognized presence in global markets, through:
• Relationships with institutional investors, lenders, and rating agencies
• Funding market access strategies adapted to currencies, issuance windows, and investor demand
• Innovation in financial instruments—including sustainable bonds
• Contributions to the development of new markets to broaden funding sources

Case study: inside a recent bond issuance

To illustrate these mechanisms, a case study will focus on a recent bond issue, highlighting:
• Strategic preparation
• Choice of market and format
• Structuring of the issuance
• Investor communication and outreach
• Post-issuance performance

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About Ian Charest, Vice President, Treasury

Ian Charest, Vice-President, Treasury, oversee activities to develop and maintain La Caisse’s presence in global markets. He also contributes to strengthening the organization’s relationships with financial institutions, lenders, investors and credit rating agencies to have optimal access to innovative, diversified and cost-effective sources of financing. He leads the team responsible for managing liquidity reserves and ensuring its best use, as well as supporting various investment activities. 

With more than 20 years of experience in finance, Mr. Charest joined La Caisse in 2013 as Director, Treasury, and became responsible for the Treasury team in 2018. Prior to joining La Caisse, he spent over 10 years at Laurentian Bank of Canada in different positions related to liquidity, financing and capital management.

Mr. Charest holds a Bachelor of Economics from Université de Montréal, a Master of Finance from HEC Montréal and is a CFA charterholder.
 

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This event allows you to obtain 45 minutes of professional development credits for CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) and CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) by providing a detailed description of the activity.

The event is approved for up to 1.2 CTP and 1.2 FPAC recertification credits by the Association for Financial Professionals.

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This event is sponsored by