Mr. Ben Reeves reports

NEW WEALTHSIMPLE ETF ON THE NEO EXCHANGE OFFERS INVESTORS GREATER CHOICE IN ESG SOLUTIONS

NEO is welcoming Wealthsimple Inc. back to the NEO Exchange with the launch of the Wealthsimple North American Green Bond Index ETF (CAD-Hedged). Mackenzie Investments will serve as trustee, manager and portfolio manager for the new exchange-traded fund, which began trading today under the symbol WSGB.

With today's launch, Wealthsimple offers greater choice to investors in the ever-expanding socially responsible fixed income market. The ETF aims to enable investors to gain core fixed income exposure while having a positive impact by financing projects addressing environmental and social issues.

The Wealthsimple North American Green Bond Index ETF seeks to replicate the performance of the Solactive Green Bond USD CAD DM CAD Hedged Index, which invests primarily in investment-grade green, social and sustainable bonds, with its foreign currency exposure hedged back to the Canadian dollar.

"As a company committed to making accessible and affordable financial products for everyone, we're excited to introduce the Wealthsimple Green Bond ETF on NEO's innovative exchange," said Ben Reeves, chief investment officer at Wealthsimple. "Our new offering gives Canadians the ability to invest directly in the environmental and social projects required for a net-zero carbon economy while also supporting their own personal financial goals."

Data on bonds held by WSGB will be provided by Solactive and the Climate Bonds Initiative, which will ensure that issuers comply with green and social bond principles at launch, and subsequently on an annual basis, to prevent greenwashing.

"ESG and socially responsible investment solutions have skyrocketed in demand over the past few years, and we are honoured that Wealthsimple has chosen to list WSGB on the NEO Exchange," said Jos Schmitt, president and chief executive officer of NEO. "It is a true pleasure to serve as the listing partner for an organization that shares our commitment to building a better tomorrow. We remain focused, as ever, on continuing to drive the change that provides investors with greater choice and supporting the innovation economy, of which the climate transition journey is a very critical part."

Investors can trade units of the Wealthsimple North American Green Bond Index ETF through their usual investment channels, including discount brokerage platforms and full-service dealers.

Wealthsimple previously listed Canada's first Shariah-compliant exchange traded fund, the Wealthsimple Shariah World Equity Index ETF (WSHR), on the NEO Exchange in May of 2021.

The NEO Exchange is now home to almost 200 unique listings, including ETFs from Canada's largest ETF issuers, and some of the most innovative Canadian and international growth companies. NEO consistently facilitates about 20 per cent of all trading in Canadian ETFs and close to 15 per cent of all volume traded across Canadian marketplaces.