November 3, 2022

Victoria, BC – British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) and JA British Columbia (JABC) are pleased to announce BCI as a major sponsor of JABC’s More Than Money program – a student-centred and skills-focused learning opportunity offered to grade four and five classes across British Columbia. To support growing demand, BCI’s contributions will also be directed to tailored financial literacy programming for Indigenous communities.

“Every day, BCI employees come to work to build secure financial futures for our clients and their beneficiaries,” said Daniel Garant, executive vice president & global head, public markets at BCI and champion for financial literacy. “We recognize how understanding personal finances and money management at a young age can make a difference, and believe opportunities to learn these critical skills should be free, accessible, and encouraged for all youth. We hope that BCI’s sponsorship will help prepare students from all backgrounds and demographics for financial success.”

BCI supports access to education that empowers youth and adults to build foundational financial skills, as well as gain exposure to the possibility of a career in finance. Together with its employee-led financial literacy committee, who champion volunteerism and opportunities that address systemic gaps in financial education, BCI has partnered with JABC on the More Than Money program for its focus on elementary-age learners across British Columbia.

The More Than Money program aligns with British Columbia’s school curriculum and supports teachers’ learning outcomes in math, languages, and career and life education. Through games and interactive methods, students learn the basics of money management, personal banking, earning income, business planning, and responsible use of credit. It was first piloted in the 2017-18 school year with 70 program deliveries. For the current school year, JABC’s goal is to increase this to nearly 200, with 70 sessions in Indigenous communities alone.

“We are very grateful for the ongoing partnership of BCI and their sponsorship of our More Than Money program this school year,” said Sheila Biggers, president and chief executive officer of JABC. “Thanks to their support, hundreds of students across British Columbia will learn critical money management skills to help prepare them for lifelong financial health.”

BCI’s sponsorship funding reflects its commitment to financial literacy as a community focus area and builds on the growing involvement of staff. Since 2014, more than 60 employees from across BCI have volunteered to deliver over 100 programs with JABC, empowering an estimated 2,600 students, and the partnership continues to expand. Earlier this year, BCI supported JABC to offer more programs taught by Indigenous volunteers to students in Indigenous communities. For Financial Literacy Month this November, JABC and BCI’s financial literacy committee are bringing the classroom to the boardroom by hosting a full day on-site financial literacy program for two grade eight classes. Students will learn from professionals at BCI’s head office in Victoria, British Columbia, and develop critical skills related to spending, saving, and investing.

ABOUT JA BRITISH COLUMBIA

JA British Columbia (JABC) is a not-for-profit impact organization that delivers free hands-on, immersive education in work readiness, financial health, and entrepreneurship. Reaching thousands of young people each year through partnerships with educators, volunteers, donors, and sponsors, JABC is one of the few organizations with the experience and passion to build a brighter future for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders.

For over 65 years, JABC has served B.C. youth, including Indigenous communities, people of colour, and at-risk populations. JABC’s real-world training helps young people develop the skills to build successful careers, prepare for the risks and rewards of entrepreneurship, and learn to thrive financially. Through JA, young people are equipped with the skillset and mindset to build thriving communities. JABC is a proud member of JA Canada and JA Worldwide, one of the world’s largest and most impactful NGOs.

ABOUT BCI

British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) is amongst the largest institutional investors in Canada with $211.1 billion under management, as of March 31, 2022. Based in Victoria, British Columbia, with offices in Vancouver and New York City, BCI is invested in: fixed income and private debt; public and private equity; infrastructure and renewable resources; as well as real estate equity and real estate debt through our independently operated platform company QuadReal Property Group. With our global outlook, we seek investment opportunities that convert savings into productive capital that will meet our clients’ risk and return requirements over time. This compels us to integrate long-term ESG matters into all investment decisions and activities. BCI’s clients include pension plans representing over 715,000 plan members, insurance funds providing more than three million Autoplan insurance policies annually, benefits coverage to more than two million workers and 225,000 companies, and special purpose funds within British Columbia’s public sector.

MEDIA CONTACTS

JA British Columbia news@jabc.org

BCI media@bci.ca