Employers that prioritize belonging and inclusion are making workplaces stronger and more resilient, according to this year’s Canada’s Best Diversity Employers list, released Tuesday by Mediacorp Canada Inc.
The annual competition, now in its 18th year, recognizes organizations across the country that have implemented meaningful diversity and inclusion initiatives. This year’s winners are expanding employee resource groups (ERGs), offering inclusive leadership training, and tailoring benefits to better reflect the lived experiences of their employees.
“Employees who feel a strong sense of belonging and connection are enormous assets to any organization,” said Kristina Leung, managing editor at Mediacorp Canada. “At its core, an inclusive workplace recognizes that every employee has a unique history, background, and culture, and ensures that policies, programming, and benefits reflect their diverse needs.”
Employers on the list are applying an inclusive lens to benefits, including universal parental leave top-ups, expanded mental health and gender-affirmation coverage, and paid Indigenous cultural leave. Some are redefining the concept of family to better support Indigenous employees, reflecting a broader commitment to diversity beyond the workplace.
The competition evaluates programs in five key areas: support for women, members of visible minorities, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and LGBTQ+ employees. Any employer in Canada, whether from the public or private sector, is eligible to apply.
Who made the list?
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Air Canada
- Amex Bank of Canada
- Bank of Canada
- BASF Canada Inc.
- BC Hydro
- BC Infrastructure Benefits Inc. / BCIB
- BC Public Service
- Bell Canada
- Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
- BNP Paribas
- Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
- Boston Consulting Group Canada ULC
- Bruce Power LP
- Business Development Bank of Canada
- CAE Inc.
- Canada Revenue Agency / CRA
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Canadian Tire Corporation Limited
- Capgemini Canada Inc.
- CBC / Radio-Canada
- Celestica Inc.
- Children’s Aid Society of Toronto
- Corus Entertainment Inc.
- D2L Corporation
- Dalhousie University
- Dentons Canada LLP
- Emera Inc.
- Employment and Social Development Canada
- Enbridge Inc.
- Export Development Canada
- EY
- GHD Ltd.
- Gibson Energy Inc.
- GlaxoSmithKline Inc. / GSK
- Health Canada / Santé Canada
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
- Home Depot Canada Inc.
- Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.
- IBM Canada Ltd.
- ICBC / Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
- IGM Financial Inc.
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
- Jazz Aviation LP
- Lafarge Canada Inc.
- Ledcor Group of Companies
- Liquor Control Board of Ontario / LCBO
- Loblaw Companies Ltd.
- Manitoba Hydro
- Manulife Financial Corporation
- McCarthy Tétrault LLP
- McGill University
- McMaster University
- Niagara Health
- Nunavut, Government of
- OpenText Corporation
- Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
- Ottawa, City of
- Procter & Gamble Inc.
- Royal Bank of Canada
- SAP Canada Inc.
- Saskatoon, City of
- SaskPower
- SaskTel
- Scotiabank
- Statistics Canada / Statistique Canada
- TD Bank Group
- Thales Canada Inc.
- Toronto, City of
- UBC / University of British Columbia
- Unity Health Toronto
- Université de Montréal
- University of Calgary
- University of Manitoba
- University of Toronto
- University of Victoria
- Vancouver Coastal Health
- Women’s College Hospital
- YMCA of Greater Toronto
- York University
