Proxy Voting Policy

Policy

Given RPIA’s focus on fixed-income investments, it is very rare for a fund or account managed by the firm to hold securities that have voting rights.

As manager of investment funds, RPIA has the authority to exercise any voting rights that a Fund has in its capacity as a security holder of an issuer. It is the policy of RPIA that these rights are exercised in accordance with the best interests of the unit holders of the Fund determined at the time the vote is cast.

Where a conflict of interest arises between RPIA’s interests and those of the unit holders, the unit holders’ interest will prevail. RPIA will document any instance where a conflict of interest could be construed. In some cases, it will be in the best interests of the unit holders of the Fund for votes not to be cast on a particular matter.

RPIA will attempt to vote all proxies. However, there may be circumstances where voting may be impractical. These situations include, but are not limited to: insufficient information available, proxy documents not being delivered by the custodian in a timely fashion, lack of English proxy materials, cost of voting outweighs potential benefit to Client, and lack of materiality. RPIA may engage third parties to help advise on proxy voting matters and record keeping.

In the case of investment funds that are reporting issuers, RPIA will comply with the requirements set out in Part 10 of NI 81-106.

Standing Policy for Voting on Routine Matters

Issuers’ proxies routinely contain proposals to elect corporate directors; to appoint external auditors and set their compensation; to adopt or amend management compensation plans; and to amend the capitalization of the company (collectively,“Routine Matters”). A decision to invest in an issuer is generally an endorsement of the issuer’s management. Therefore, proxies will generally be voted with management on Routine Matters.

Deviations from Policy for Voting on Routine Matters

In some cases it may not be in the best interests of the securityholders of the Fund for proxies to be voted with management on Routine Matters, and they will be voted accordingly.

The following guidelines (“Voting Guidelines”) set out the corporate governance principles which will help determine how to vote on Routine Matters.

Boards of Directors - resolutions that promote the ability of boards to act in the best interests of securityholders of the Fund will be supported. Proxies will generally be voted in favour of the election of directors for boards having a majority of independent directors and an independent chair, where the chairs of all board committees and at least a majority of committee members are independent.

Auditors and Auditor Compensation - recommendations of the issuer’s audit committee regarding the appointment of auditors and auditor compensation in cases where all members of an issuer's audit committee are independent will generally be supported.

Management Compensation - compensation arrangements that are tied to long-term corporate performance and securityholder value will generally be supported. These arrangements should induce management to purchase and hold equity in the company to better align management's interests with those of shareholders. Stock option plans that are overly generous or excessively dilutive to other shareholders will not be supported.

Changes in Capitalization - changes in capitalization where a reasonable need for the change is demonstrated will generally be supported. Changes resulting in excessive dilution of existing securityholder value will not be supported.

While the Funds proxies will generally be voted in accordance with the Voting Guidelines, there may be circumstances where it is in the best interests of the Fund to vote differently than the manner contemplated by the Voting Guidelines. The ultimate decision as to the manner in which a Fund’s proxies will be voted rests with the person responsible for voting securities held by the Fund.

Voting Guidelines for Non-Routine Matters

Non-Routine Matters, including those business issues specific to the issuer or those raised by shareholders of the issuer, are addressed on a case-by-case basis with a focus on the potential impact of the vote on the Fund’s value. The general principals underlying the Voting Guidelines will be considered when deciding how to vote on non-Routine Matters.

Proxy Voting Administration

Adhering to Proxy Voting Policy

Any person or entity entrusted with casting a vote in respect of securities held by a Fund shall be provided with a copy of this policy and will be expected to vote in accordance with this policy at all times. In the event that anyone expects to deviate from the policies set out herein, the prior approval of the Manager must be obtained before a vote is cast.

Maintaining Proxy Voting Record

A record of all proxies received and all votes cast (including how such votes are cast) shall be maintained by the person charged with the responsibility of voting on behalf of a Fund. The proxy voting record shall be maintained on an annual basis from July 1 to June 30 of each year. Information in order to enable the Manager to prepare the annual proxy voting record for each Fund must be provided to the Manager no later than August 1 of each year.

Whether or Not to Vote on Routine or Non-Routine Matters 

The person responsible for voting securities held by the Fund has the discretion whether or not to vote on Routine and non-Routine Matters. In cases where such person determines that it is not in the best interest of the securityholders of the Fund to cast a vote, or in cases where no value is added by voting, there is no requirement to vote.

Proxy Voting Disclosure

In the case of investment funds that are reporting issuers, RPIA will maintain and disclose the proxy voting record in accordance with sections 10.3 and 10.4 of NI 81-106. Disclosure will be provided on RPIA’s public website.

For the one-year period ending June 30, 2023, RP Strategic Income Plus Fund and RP Alternative Global Bond Fund received no reportable proxy material as described under NI 81-106, nor did RPIA cast any votes on behalf of these funds. Additional proxy voting-related disclosure is provided in the funds’ Annual Information Form, in accordance with NI 81-101.