Using a conditional asset pricing model approach, this study investigates how the Canadian stock market reacts to changes in extra-financial ratings related to environmental social and governance (ESG) factors. Our results suggest that upgrades (downgrades) in CSR ratings lead to negative (positive) abnormal returns (alpha). This result is consistent with the notion that the expected stock return or cost of capital must be lower (higher) for socially responsible (irresponsible) firms because they are associated with lower (higher) risk.