The Economist issue -- Dec 2 to 8 article--- "America Inc gets woke" ----( should be, gets awoken) but nevertheless. is surprising. It provides some evidence that Trudeau's environmental, social and governance issues are shared by a growing sea change in the large American companies, provoked in part and colored by both employees and investors and a sense of self interest apart from any altruism. Surprisingly, quoting from the article, "In 2006 the United Nations issued principles for investing, urging shareholders to consider environmental, social and governance factors. By 2015 institutions managing about $59 trillion(sic) had endorsed these principles." And again, " self interest, properly understood---the idea that an individual's attention to the common good served himself as well. Companies keen to protect their interests are increasingly taking that observation to heart." There may be a larger glimmer of hope in the world than one has hitherto believed. Maybe Our Prime Minister in his insistence that these issues be addressed in the negotiations with China, the Philippines et al is not so incredibly stupid after all and we can be a bit proud of our principles. It seems a paradox that American companies are running ahead of their government by a long shot. That may not be as hard as it first sounds given their government of the day.
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