MediaCorp has released its list of winners, which included Canada’s top employers in 2024. 

The annual event continues not only to garner widespread attention in Canada but also shapes the employment searches of Canadians as well as newcomers. The competition aims to recognize employers who lead their industries in offering excellent workplaces for their employees. 

What Are The Selection Criteria? 

Any business with a head office in Canada can apply to the competition. The competition is based on eight selection factors. Moreover, employers are compared to other organizations in their industry to see which ones have the most progressive policies. Also, they get a letter grade between A & F in each of the below categories: 

  • Workplace
  • Work atmosphere and social factors
  • Health, financial, and family benefits
  • Vacation and time off
  • Employee communications
  • Performance management
  • Training and skills development
  • Community involvement

A Note On Obtaining Work Permit Sponsorship From Employers 

Along with Canada’s top employers in 2024, depending upon the type of work permit, any of the companies mentioned above could aid newcomers in building eligibility for economic pathways to Canada PR. It is useful to note that most economic pathways need at least one year of continuous, skilled work experience in Canada to be eligible for these programs. 

A critical aspect of this is if a new newcomer has an open/ closed work permit. An open work permit enables individuals to work in numerous industries & for most employers without the work permit being tied to any specific employer. An LMIA-based work permit only allows holders to work for one employer in an industry. Moreover, they must be supported by a positive/ neutral LMIA result. 

Special Highlights From Canada’s Top Employers In 2024

Below are the highlights from Canada’s top employers in 2024. Take a look!

  • Financial Compensation 

Financial compensation is often the foundation of a job search. To score well in this category, employers are required to offer a range of compensation benefits like participation in salary surveys, regular salary reviews, financial planning alternatives, long-term savings, etc. 

For 2024, the employers that scored the highest in this category were as follows: 

  • Business Development Bank of Canada
  • Canadian Aviation Electronics Inc
  • Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
  • Enbridge Inc.
  • Provincial Credit Union Ltd.
  • Royal Bank of Canada
  • Schneider Electric Canada Inc
  • TD Bank Group

  • Notable School Employment 

For many international/ foreign graduates seeking their first job in Canada, working at their educational institution can be an easy transition into working life. This year, the following five schools featured in the top 100 employers: 

  • Carleton University

Carleton is noted for its extensive healthcare programs. It includes 100% premium healthcare coverage for all employees & an extensive ‘Healthy Workplace’ initiative that promotes physical & mental health. Moreover, employees are given extensive vacation time & paid holiday closures at the end of the year. 

  • College Of Physicians & Surgeons, BC

The College of Physicians & Surgeons offers a flexible statutory holiday policy, allowing employees to swap up to three holidays with other days of personal, cultural, or religious significance to them. Furthermore, the college provides progressive maternity & parental leave pay as well. It allows up to 75% of employees’ salary for 52 or 37 weeks, respectively. 

  • Simon Fraser University 

Along with beginning employees with four weeks of paid vacation time, Simon Fraser University employees have access to extensive healthcare facilities on one of the nation’s most unique campuses, atop Burnaby Mountain. These include a swimming pool, indoor soccer, a climbing wall, personal fitness consultations, & numerous instructor-led courses for martial arts, yoga, dance, etc. 

  • Universite de Montreal 

Apart from offering hybrid work alternatives & extensive health benefits, Montreal University boasts extensive skill-building alternatives for employees. It includes an online skills inventory, in-house training programs, & tuition subsidies for courses both related & unrelated to an employee’s job. 

  • University Of New Brunswick 

UNB is noted for strong financial benefits & compensation, including outside salary reviews, long-term pension benefits, & even signing bonuses for certain positions. However, where UNB scores highly in this year’s ranking is in its training & skills development support. This offers tuition subsidies along with educational leave & even financial bonuses of course completions. 

  • Work Abroad Alternatives 

Another key aspect of work-life balance for many newcomers might be the flexibility to work remotely, or even abroad, while they visit their home country. Canada’s top employers in 2024 also covered businesses with progressive work abroad alternatives. Some of the top scorers included: 

  • Procter & Gamble Canada

P&G manages a flexible work program known as ‘work-ways.’ Under this policy, employees work with their managers to design hybrid & remote work options that fit their needs while meeting the business’s demands. This arrangement includes a work-from-home allowance & the ability to work abroad.

  • BC Investment Management Corp.

BCI’s work abroad alternatives feature a ‘Work From Anywhere’ policy to enable employees to work remotely worldwide for up to one month a year. Moreover, the company also has a ‘Talking to Strangers’ program, which ensures that employees stay connected to each other even when working remotely. 

  • Fowler Bauld & Mitchell Ltd.

FBM has had a longstanding policy of remote work alternatives for employees, including hybrid work alternatives, flexible work hours, & even a compressed work week that offers four-day work weeks & extended weekends. 

  • Bank Of Canada 

Featuring flexible work hours, BoC’s remote work alternatives help alleviate community/ family pressures that employees might face during the start of their workdays. Moreover, the Bank of Canada also has a ‘work from away’ policy, which enables employees to work up to six weeks per year from abroad at approved International or Canadian locations. 

  • Unique Perks & Work Environments

  • Mars Canada’s head office in Toronto boasts an extensive work set-up, with indoor & outdoor dog parks, a community garden, volleyball and basketball courts, a hockey rink, & other amenities. 
  • BDO Canada offers employees a ‘Do What You Love’ program, which includes taxable reimbursements of around CAD 1,350 for all manner of personal undertakings, including travel-related expenses, concert/ sporting event tickets, cooking classes, etc. 
  • Harper Collins Canada Ltd. & Harlequin Enterprises ULC has an immersive work environment that features multiple author events, Halloween costume contests, sit-stand workstations, & a ‘bookstop’ where employees can borrow books for free, among other amenities.