Business

Canada’s Top 100 Employers

They offer parental leave top-ups, tuition subsidies, flex hours, even private rooms for napping.

The Top 100For the ninth year running, Maclean’s has partnered with Toronto publisher Mediacorp to bring you the country’s most comprehensive independent study of workplace benefits. This year, more than 2,600 organizations applied—up 3.7 per cent from last year, and the most applications in the history of the Mediacorp survey.

For each organization, the editors assigned grades in eight key areas: physical workplace; work atmosphere; health, financial and family benefits; vacation and time off; employee communications; performance management; training and skills development; and community involvement.

The result is a revealing glimpse into the latest workplace trends—and into how Canada’s best employers are making a difference for their employees. Take a look at this year’s list of Canada’s Top 100 Employers.

The employers, listed below, are not ranked and are classified by industry. They are presented in alphabetical order. Click on each name to see a description.

(X) Indicates number of Canadian full-time employees

CONSUMER SERVICES

Carswell
Compass Group Canada Ltd.
Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada
Fairmont Hotels Inc.
Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Ltd.
Loblaw Cos. Ltd.
L’Oréal Canada Inc.
Mars Canada Inc.
Mountain Equipment Co-op
Omni health care LP
Procter & Gamble Inc.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Agriculture Financial Services Corp.
ATB Financial
Assumption Mutual Life Insurance Co.
Bank of Montreal
Business Development Bank of Canada
Capital One Services Inc.
Johnson Inc.
Meridian Credit union
Royal Bank of Canada
Saskatchewan Government Insurance
Toronto-Dominion Bank

INDUSTRIAL AND RESOURCES

Agrium Inc.
Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc.
BD Canada Inc.
Cameco Corp.
Diavik Diamond Mines Inc.
Ellisdon Corp.
Enbridge Inc.
Goldcorp Inc.
Great Little Box Co. Ltd.
New Flyer Industries Canada ULC
PCL Constructors Inc.
Shell Canada Ltd.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc.
Trican Well Service Ltd.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES & COMMUNICATIONS

Amec Americas Ltd.
Ceridian Canada Ltd.
CH2M Hill Canada Ltd.
Ernst & Young LLP
Gamma-Dynacare Medical Laboratories Inc.
Golder Associates Ltd.
Halifax Herald LTD.
Hill & Knowlton Canada
KPMG LLP
Price­waterhouse­Coopers LLP
Sasktel
Stikeman Elliott LLP
Telus Corp.
Yellow Pages Group

PUBLIC SECTOR AND NON-PROFIT

Office of the Auditor General of Canada
B.C. Hydro
B.C. Lottery Corp.
B.C. Public service
B.C. Safety Authority
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.
Canada Post Corp.
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Canadian Security Intelligence Service
Capital District Health Authority
Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Export Development Canada
George Brown College
Hamilton Health Sciences Corp.
Information Services Corp. of Saskatchewan
McGill University
N.B. Power
Ontario Power Generation Inc.
Ontario Public service
Queen’s University
Royal B.C. Museum Corp.
Royal Canadian Mint
SaskEnergy Inc.
Simon Fraser University
Statistics Canada
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto Community Housing Corp.
Toronto Hydro Corp.
Vancouver Island Health Authority
City of Vancouver

TECHNOLOGY

Bioware ULC
DeltaWare Systems Inc.
Digital Extremes
Ericsson Canada Inc.
Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co.
Honeywell Ltd.
MDS Nordion Inc.
MTS Allstream Inc.
Next Level Games Inc.
Research In Motion Ltd.
SAS Institute Canada Inc.
Siemens Canada Inc.
Sophos Inc.
Upside Software Inc.

OTHER

Assoc. of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario
Bayer Inc.
Monsanto Canada Inc.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.

Compiled by Patricia Treble and Michael Barclay

CONSUMER SERVICES

Carswell
Publisher, Toronto.

Leadership program had over 80 per cent of participants promoted upon completion; compassionate leave top-up payments to 95 per cent of salary for eight weeks; $5,000 in adop­tion assistance per child. (645)

Back to the full list

Compass Group Canada Ltd.
Food services company, Mississ­auga, Ont.

Employees start at three weeks vacation; focused training program to help women advance into management-level positions; compassionate care top-up benefits to 80 per cent of salary for six weeks. (11,775)

Back to the full list

Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada
Motorcycle distributor, Richmond, B.C.

Discounts on bikes; demo models can be borrowed; paid time off for volunteer work; mat leave top-ups to 75 per cent for 52 weeks. (171)

Back to the full list

Fairmont Hotels Inc.
Luxury hotels & resorts, Toronto.

Job opportunities around the world including the Caribbean; discounted rates at the company’s hotels and resorts for employees and their families and friends; defined contribution pension plan. (8,643)

Back to the full list

Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Ltd.
Dairy products producer, Mississauga, Ont.

Profit-sharing and share-purchase plans available to all workers; full health benefits for retirees; tuition subsidies; flexible work options. (469)

Back to the full list

Loblaw Cos. Ltd.
Grocery store chain, Brampton, Ont.

Online and in-house training programs and tuition subsidies up to $1,200; mat leave top-ups to 75 per cent of salary for 17 weeks. (31,670)

Back to the full list

L’Oréal Canada Inc.
Cosmetics company, Montreal.

Excellent on-site daycare; downtown workplace has coffee bar and discount cosmetics boutique; international training courses in Paris and New York City. (1,200)

Back to the full list

Mars Canada inc.
Food producer, Bolton, Ont.

Free on-site fitness centre offers one-on-one training; vacation purchase program; generous referral bonuses. (472)

Back to the full list

Mountain Equipment Co-op
Recreation gear retailer, Vancouver.

Healthy lifestyle encouraged with on-site yoga classes, private nap room and shower facilities for cyclists; loan program for computers, boats and bikes. (582)

Back to the full list

Omni health care LP
Long-term residential care provider, Peterborough, Ont. Compassionate leave top-ups to 75 per cent of salary for 17 weeks; seven days off in addition to vacation. (1,137)

Back to the full list

Procter & Gamble Inc.
Consumer products, Toronto.

Academic scholarships up to $2,000 for children of employees and retirees; workers can increase vacation days by transferring unused credits from health benefits plan; three-month paid leave every seven years. (1,912)

Back to the full list

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Agriculture Financial Services Corp.
Provincial Crown corporation for agriculture, Lacombe, Alta.

Referral bonuses of up to $2,500; flexible work arrangements including shortened weeks; subsidized tuition. (501)

Back to the full list

ATB Financial
Financial services, Edmonton.

Full tuition subsidies with no maximum; profit-sharing open to everyone; defined contribution pension plan; extra week of vacation when taken during non-peak months. (4,044)

Back to the full list

Assumption Mutual Life Insurance Co.
Financial services, Moncton, N.B.

Mat leave top-up benefits to 100 per cent of salary for 17 weeks; no-maximum tuition subsidies. (223)

Back to the full list

Bank of Montreal
Financial services, Toronto.

Institute for Learning offers more than 350 courses and programs; formal mentoring program; flexible health benefits include full coverage for retirees. (25,541)

Back to the full list

Business Development Bank of Canada
Crown corporation for business, Montreal.

Up to five days off can be bought through the health benefits plan; retiree health coverage. (1,685)

Back to the full list

Capital One Services Inc.
Credit card issuer, Toronto.

Referral bonuses up to $10,000; subsidized public transit passes; all tuition fees covered. (176)

Back to the full list

Johnson Inc.
Insurance and benefits provider, St. John’s.

Flexible work options include 35-hour week with full pay; bonuses up to $2,000 for professional designations. (1,066)

Back to the full list

Meridian Credit union
Financial services, St. Catharines, Ont.

Tuition subsidies up to $3,000 at outside institutions; paid time off for volunteer work. (745)

Back to the full list

Royal Bank of Canada
Financial services, Toronto.

Nearly one-third of workers take advantage of flexible work options; defined benefit pension plan plus matching RSP contributions. (52,500)

Back to the full list

Saskatchewan government insurance
Insurance provider, Regina.

Defined contribution pension plan with phased-in retirement work options; interest-free loan up to $3,000 for home computer purchase. (1,699)

Back to the full list

Toronto-Dominion Bank
Financial services, Toronto.

Low-interest home loans; share-purchase plan; year-end bonuses; training programs for internationally educated employees. (37,088)

Back to the full list

INDUSTRIAL AND RESOURCES

Agrium Inc.
Fertilizer producer, Calgary.

Located next to a provincial park for convenient nature breaks; four weeks vacation after two years on the job; fully paid health coverage for retired employees. (1,898)

Back to the full list

Alberta-Pacific forest industries Inc.
Pulp facility, Boyle, Alta.

Flexible time-off program lets employees take 12 personal days annually; fourth week of vacation can be taken as time or cash; property has a 16-hectare trout pond, driving range and walking trail. (439)

Back to the full list

BD Canada Inc.
Medical equipment manufacturer, Mississauga, Ont.

Karate and body sculpt classes at subsidized fitness facility; health plan benefits for retirees without age limits; tuition subsidies up to $2,500. (481)

Back to the full list

Cameco Corp.
Uranium producer, Saskatoon.

Matching RSP contributions; phased-in retirement work option; extensive career-development programs. (2,761)

Back to the full list

Diavik Diamond Mines Inc.
Mine operator, Yellowknife.

Five personal paid days off plus three weeks vacation; mat leave top-ups to 90 per cent of salary for 18 weeks; diamond purchase program. (863)

Back to the full list

Ellisdon Corp.
Construction firm, Mississauga, Ont.

Formal mentoring program; profit-sharing and share-purchase plans open to all; defined contribution benefit pension plan. (884)

Back to the full list

Enbridge Inc.
Natural gas distribution, Calgary.

Four separate health benefit plans plus workers given cash equivalent for unused benefits; generous pension plan and matching RSP contributions; three weeks vacation plus 12 more paid days off per year. (3,981)

Back to the full list

Goldcorp Inc.
Mining company, Vancouver.

Year-end bonuses for all; open share-purchase plan; four weeks vacation after three years. (2,350)

Back to the full list

Great Little Box Co. Ltd.
Box manufacturer, Vancouver.

Books are open to employees; no-maximum tuition subsidies; free on-site fitness centre. (172)

Back to the full list

New Flyer Industries Canada ULC
Transit-bus maker, Winnipeg.

Full salaries for apprentices during their training; wellness week includes flu shots and nutrition classes; birthdays off with pay. (1,288)

Back to the full list

PCL Constructors Inc.
General contractor, Edmonton.

Worker-owned firm with a “promote from within” policy—all senior managers are long-time employees; in-house training college, plus tuition subsidies; incentives for safe work performance. (2,066)

Back to the full list

Shell Canada Ltd.
Petroleum company, Calgary.

Discount on gas purchases; health benefits cover retirees; tuition subsidies at outside insti­tutions; helps workers find child care and schools. (5,514)

Back to the full list

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc.
Automobile manufacturer, Cambridge, Ont.

Employees and their families get $1,000 off vehicle purchase; defined benefit pension plan; phased-in retirement program. (5,954)

Back to the full list

Trican Well Service Ltd.
Oil and gas well equipment, Calgary.

Parental top-ups to 100 per cent of salary—52 weeks for new moms and 36 weeks for dads; alternative work options. (1,486)

Back to the full list

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES & COMMUNICATIONS

Amec Americas Ltd.
Engineering consultants, Oakville, Ont.

Two-year engineering-in-training program for workers preparing to write professional engineering exam; flexible work options. (4,801)

Back to the full list

Ceridian Canada Ltd.
Human resources services, Winnipeg.

Profit-sharing plans; workers nominate an employee for paid southern vacation; pet insurance subsidy. (1,262)

Back to the full list

CH2M Hill Canada Ltd.
Environmental consulting engineers, Toronto.

Full-time telecommuting option; sustainability development reward program for employees who undertake environmental projects. (1,079)

Back to the full list

Ernst & Young LLP
Professional services firm, Toronto.

Up to $1,000 for gym memberships or home equipment; emergency daycare and home-care service arrangements; extended long weekends. (4,111)

Back to the full list

Gamma-Dynacare Medical Laboratories Inc.

Diagnostic laboratory services, Brampton, Ont.

Phased-in retirement options; matching RSP plan; employees start at three weeks vacation. (1,422)

Back to the full list

Golder Associates Ltd.
Engineering consultants, Burnaby, B.C.

Defined contribution pension plan; profit-sharing plan; bonuses for professional accreditation. (2,541)

Back to the full list

Halifax Herald LTD.
Newspaper publisher, Halifax.

Flexible health plan including retiree benefits; generous tuition subsidies; paid birthdays off. (325)

Back to the full list

Hill & Knowlton Canada
Public relations firm, Toronto.

Two $7,500 grants for continuing education; option to buy vacation days; weekly office beer cart. (226)

Back to the full list

KPMG LLP
Audit, tax, corporate finance services, Toronto.

Grants up to $20,000 for adoptions; generous fitness subsidy; seven paid personal days a year. (5,245)

Back to the full list

Price­waterhouse­Coopers LLP
Accounting and professional services, Toronto.

Wide variety of firm-sponsored sports teams; donates $10,000 on behalf of the employee volunteer of the year; annual fitness allowance to $1,200. (6,048)

Back to the full list

Sasktel
Communications firm, Regina.

Provincial Crown corporation has a free on-site gym and is located near running trails on Wascana Lake’s shore; annual banquet and $500 gifts for longest-serving employees. (3,260)

Back to the full list

Stikeman Elliott LLP
Law firm, Toronto/Montreal.

Flexible work options including 35-hour week at full pay; referral bonuses up to $1,000; formal earned days off program. (1,286)

Back to the full list

Telus Corp.
Communications firm, Vancouver.

Emergency daycare services; share-purchase plan; formal telecommuting program. (25,961)

Back to the full list

Yellow Pages Group
Telephone directories, Verdun, Que.

Fully paid health coverage for retirees with no limits; subsidized tuition up to $2,000. (2,402)

Back to the full list

PUBLIC SECTOR AND NON-PROFIT

Office of the Auditor General of Canada
Federal government auditor, Ottawa.

Parental leave top-up of up to 93 per cent of salary—52 weeks for mom and 35 weeks for dad; flexible health benefits. (705)

Back to the full list

B.C. Hydro
Public utility, Vancouver.

Phased-in retirement option; defined benefit pension; in-house apprenticeship programs. (5,437)

Back to the full list

B.C. Lottery Corp.
Gaming authority, Kamloops, B.C.

No-maximum tuition subsidies; defined benefit pension plan; year-end bonuses. (730)

Back to the full list

B.C. Public service
Provincial civil service, Victoria.

Flexible work options include telecommuting and 35-hour week; in-house apprenticeship programs; Winter Olympic volunteers get one week fully paid; forgives up to one-third of B.C. student loans for recent grads. (26,526)

Back to the full list

B.C. Safety Authority
Safety-standards non-profit, New Westminster, B.C.

Child-care costs covered for workers on trips or at firm events; new dads and adoptive parents get top-up benefits to 85 per cent of salary for 35 weeks. (241)

Back to the full list

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.
Housing agency, Ottawa.

No-maximum tuition subsidy; mat leave top-up to 93 per cent of salary for 52 weeks; defined benefit pension. (2,024)

Back to the full list

Canada Post Corp.
Postal services, Ottawa.

Employee hockey and curling tourneys; manages Santa Claus’s letter-writing division; full retiree health benefits. (61,856)

Back to the full list

Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Federal funding agency, Ottawa.

Leadership development program; excellent parental leave top-ups; flexible health benefits plan.(442)

Back to the full list

Canadian Security Intelligence Service
Spy agency, Ottawa.

Hires older workers and uses previous work experience toward vacation allowance; mat leave top-up of up to 93 per cent of salary for 52 weeks. (2,449)

Back to the full list

Capital District Health Authority
Health care service provider, Halifax.

Nap room and religious observance room for workers; variable scheduling and other flexible work options; healthy cafeteria food. (6,264)

Back to the full list

Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto
Social support services, Toronto.

Unpaid leaves of absence up to a year; extended maternity leave for up to three years; extensive in-house training programs. (607)

Back to the full list

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance
Health care service provider, Muni­cipality of Chatham-Kent, Ont.

Post-graduate tuition coverage for nursing employees; older nurses given a chance to work in less physically demanding jobs. (706)

Back to the full list

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Medical regulatory body, Toronto.

Phased-in retirement options; defined contribution pension plan; women make up more than 65 per cent of management. (249)

Back to the full list

Export Development Canada
Crown corporation, Ottawa.

Maternity leave top-ups to 95 per cent of salary for 26 weeks; employee language in­­­struction in English, French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic. (1,075)

Back to the full list

George Brown College
Educational institution, Toronto.

Free on-site fitness facility; mat leave top-up to 93 per cent of salary for 52 weeks; flexible work options. (1,300)

Back to the full list

Hamilton Health Sciences Corp.
Health care service provider, Hamilton.

Transitional retirement work program for older employees; alternative work options including telecommuting. (5,682)

Back to the full list

Information Services Corp. of Saskatchewan
Land titles Crown corporation, Regina.

Parental and adoptive top-ups to 95 per cent of salary for 17 weeks; full outside tuition subsidies. (274)

Back to the full list

McGill University
University, Montreal.

Subsidized on-site daycare; holiday shutdown; phased-in retirement program. (5,604)

Back to the full list

N.B. Power
Public electric utility, Fredericton.

On-site daycare at headquarters; self-funded leave program allows for extended paid leave of up to two months; flexible health benefits. (2,465)

Back to the full list

Ontario Power Generation Inc.
Public electric utility, Toronto.

On-site daycare and fitness centre; generous health benefits extend to retirement; extensive support for ongoing education. (11,915)

Back to the full list

Ontario Public service
Provincial civil service, Toronto.

Lots of opportunities for career advancement and specialization; mat leave top-ups to 93 per cent for 32 weeks. (67,339)

Back to the full list

Queen’s University
University, Kingston, Ont.

Subsidy of up to $2,000 per child for off-site daycare; self-funded leave program. (3,669)

Back to the full list

Royal B.C. Museum Corp.
Provincial museum, Victoria.

Unlimited tuition subsidy; gradual retirement transition plan; flexible work options. (115)

Back to the full list

Royal Canadian Mint
Coinage maker, Ottawa.

Parental leave top-ups to 93 per cent of salary for a year; defined benefit pension plan; on-site fitness facility. (796)

Back to the full list

SaskEnergy Inc.
Natural gas distributor, Regina.

Provincial Crown corporation’s mat leave top-ups to 95 per cent of salary for 52 weeks; extensive training and development opportunities. (1,031)

Back to the full list

Simon Fraser University
University, Burnaby, B.C.

On-site daycare; summer day-camp programs for employees’ children; free fitness facilities; subsidized tuition. (4,381)

Back to the full list

Statistics Canada
Statistical agency, Ottawa.

On-site daycare; no-maximum tuition subsidies; retirees health coverage; maternity leave top-up to 93 per cent of salary for 52 weeks. (5,844)

Back to the full list

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Health care service provider, Toronto.

Training available in Leadership Institute; on-site daycare; public transit subsidies and shuttle bus to subway station. (5,049)

Back to the full list

Toronto Community Housing Corp.
Social housing provider, Toronto.

Parental leave top-ups to 93 per cent of salary—52 weeks for moms and 37 weeks for dads; compassionate leaves to 93 per cent of salary for eight weeks. (1,403)

Back to the full list

Toronto Hydro Corp.
Public electric utility, Toronto.

Employees can win a week off with pay as part of United Way fundraising; deferred salary program for paid leaves. (1,450)

Back to the full list

Vancouver Island Health Authority
Health services, Victoria.

Defined benefit pension plan; sponsors nurses who are pursuing post-graduate training. (17,397)

Back to the full list

City of Vancouver
Municipality, Vancouver.

Discounted passes and unlimited access to pools, rinks and fitness centres run by the city; variety of in-house training options. (6,644)

Back to the full list

TECHNOLOGY

Bioware ULC
Video game developer, Edmonton.

Free healthy breakfasts; free gym with spa services and personal trainers; long-term workers get seven-week paid sabbatical; paid Christmas shutdown. (402)

Back to the full list

DeltaWare Systems Inc.
Software development services, Charlottetown.

Excellence rewarded with company-paid trips and cash bonuses; small-city location means most commutes are 15 minutes or less. (91)

Back to the full list

Digital Extremes
Interactive software developer, London, Ont.

Experience a factor when determining vacation for new workers; financial bonus up to $1,000 for obtaining professional accreditation. (96)

Back to the full list

Ericsson Canada Inc.
Communications equipment manufacturer, Mont-Royal, Que.

Free on-site gym with personal trainer; subsidized daycare on the premises; share-purchase plan open to all. (1,734)

Back to the full list

Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co.
Computer products, Mississauga, Ont.

Matching RSP plan; flexible health benefits plan with no waiting period; tuition subsidies up to $5,000. (3,871)

Back to the full list

Honeywell Ltd.
Industrial supplies manufacturer, Mississauga, Ont.

Employees start at three weeks vacation plus four days off during holidays; matching RSP contributions and defined contribution pension plan. (4,590)

Back to the full list

MDS Nordion Inc.
Health care company, Ottawa.

Matching RSP contributions; year-end bonuses; employee referral bonuses; work on a 20-hectare campus close to residential areas. (616)

Back to the full list

MTS Allstream Inc.
Telephone company, Winnipeg.

Public transit subsidies and flexible work arrangements; referral bonuses to $3,000; three weeks vacation to start. (6,424)

Back to the full list

Next Level Games Inc.
Video game developer, Vancouver.

Subsidized fitness memberships and free ski passes to nearby Cypress Mountain; profit-sharing; adoptive leave top-ups to 80 per cent of salary for 27 weeks. (95)

Back to the full list

Research In Motion Ltd.
Wireless communications devices, Waterloo, Ont.

Free BlackBerry and usage fees for all employees; on-site massage treatments; profit-sharing plan and bonuses. (8,576)

Back to the full list

SAS Institute Canada Inc.
Business software, Toronto.

“Green” head office with free on-site gym; allowance for home fitness equipment purchases; in-house band plays company functions; four paid volunteer days off annually. (226)

Back to the full list

Siemens Canada Inc.
Electronics firm, Mississauga, Ont.

One-month bonus for completing professional project management designation; referral bonuses up to $2,000. (4,218)

Back to the full list

Sophos Inc.
Spam and virus detection software, Vancouver.

Matching RSP plan; referral bonuses up to $2,500; compassionate leave top-ups to 100 per cent of salary for four weeks. (189)

Back to the full list

Upside Software Inc.
Business software developer, Edmonton.

Performance rewards include cash bonuses and trips; profit-sharing open to all workers; matching RSP contributions. (149)

Back to the full list

OTHER

Assoc. of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario
Union bargaining agent, Toronto.

Mat leave top-up payments to 93 per cent of salary for a year; matching RSP contributions; four weeks vacation after one year. (22)

Back to the full list

Bayer Inc.
Health care and science business, Toronto.

Marché-style cafeteria offers take-home meals; lounge has Wii system in games room; discounts on auto leases and computer equipment; free gym. (963)

Back to the full list

Monsanto Canada Inc.
Agricultural biotech firm, Winnipeg.

Parental leave benefits to 90 per cent of salary for 26 weeks; flexible work options; matching RSP contributions; profit sharing; year-end bonuses. (272)

Back to the full list

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.
Pharmaceutical company, Dorval, Que.

Wellness services include nap room, healthy cafeteria menu and free on-site gym; extensive training and mentoring. (792)

Back to the full list

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.