TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 18, 2012) - In celebration of 50 years providing a stable and secure pension plan for Ontario workers, OMERS opened the market today at Toronto Stock Exchange. James Donegan, President and CEO of OMERS Capital Markets, was joined by employees from across the OMERS organization to celebrate this milestone anniversary.

"We're very proud of our achievements over the past five decades. For the pension, corporate and investment professionals at OMERS the goal that drives us every day is to ensure a secure retirement for our plan members. Today is an opportunity for us to celebrate our successes in delivering on this pension promise to generations of Ontario workers," said Mr. Donegan.

A critical component of Canada's retirement system, OMERS was conceived to provide financial security to Ontario's workers and their families when they retire. The first OMERS plan members registered in 1963, and since then, OMERS has grown into one of Canada's largest pension plans with more than $55 billion in net assets and 420,000 members. Today OMERS is an active, diversified investor and engine of economic growth and employment in Ontario and Canada.

With a corporate culture built on innovation, integrity and respect, OMERS has been named a Best Employer in Canada for five consecutive years, as Pension Fund of the Year, Canada, for three straight years by World Finance Magazine, and as one of Canada's Passion Capitalists in recognition of its ability to achieve superior results through its energy, intensity and sustainability.

About OMERS

OMERS is one of Canada's largest pension funds with over $55 billion in net assets. It provides first-class pension administration and innovative products and services to almost 420,000 members. Almost one in every 20 employees working in the province of Ontario is an OMERS member. Through the OMERS Worldwide brand, our team of investment professionals uses a direct drive, active management investment strategy to invest in public and private market assets, including publicly-traded equities, fixed-income, infrastructure, private equity and real estate. For more information, visit www.omers.com.