Canada's Top 100 Employers


Canada's Top 100 Employers is an annual editorial competition that recognizes the best places in Canada to work. First held in 1999, the project aims to single out the employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional working conditions and progressive human resources policies. Winners are announced each October in The Globe and Mail newspaper. From 1999 to 2006, the list was published as an annual paperback book in Canada. Beginning in 2007, the list and the editors' Reasons for Selection were published online each year. Beginning in 2014, the winners were also announced in a national magazine published in The Globe and Mail. The competition is organized by Mediacorp Canada Inc., a specialty publisher of employment-related periodicals.

Selection criteria

Employers are evaluated on eight criteria, which have remained consistent since the competition was launched: Physical Workplace; Work Atmosphere & Social; Health, Financial & Family Benefits; Vacation & Time Off; Employee Communications; Performance Management; Training & Skills Development; and Community Involvement. Employers are compared to other organizations in their field to determine which offers the most progressive and forward-thinking programs. Selections are made by a team of editors, who publish detailed reasons for choosing each of the winners. Any employer, whether private or public sector, operating in Canada may apply to be considered. Applications are generally released each February and must be submitted to the editors approximately eight weeks later.

Regional and special-interest competitions

Employers complete a single application to be considered for the national competition, as well as 18 regional and special-interest competitions managed with a variety of newspaper and magazine partners across Canada:
CompetitionGeographic AreaAnnounced inNext PublishedFirst Published
Canada's Top 100 EmployersNationalThe Globe and MailNovember 9, 20152001
Canada's Top Small & Medium Employers NationalThe Globe and MailMarch 29, 20162014
Ten Best Companies to Work ForNationalFinancial PostDecember 3, 20152006
Canada's Top Employers for Young PeopleNationalThe Globe and MailJanuary 11, 20162002
Canada's Best Diversity EmployersNationalThe Globe and MailFebruary 24, 20162008
Canada's Greenest EmployersNationalThe Globe and MailApril 22, 20162008
Canada's Top Family-Friendly EmployersNationalThe Globe and MailMarch 20162002
Top Employers for Canadians Over 40NationalThe Globe and MailApril 20162002
British Columbia's Top EmployersBritish ColumbiaThe Vancouver SunFebruary 6, 20162005
Alberta's Top EmployersAlbertaCalgary Herald & Edmonton JournalFebruary 3, 20162005
Saskatchewan's Top EmployersSaskatchewanLeader-Post & The StarPhoenixFebruary 3, 20162005
Manitoba's Top EmployersManitobaWinnipeg Free PressNovember 25, 20152006
Greater Toronto's Top EmployersGreater Toronto AreaThe Globe and Mail December 8, 20152006
Waterloo Area's Top EmployersCanada's Technology TriangleWaterloo Region Record & Guelph MercuryNovember 28, 20152007
Hamilton-Niagara's Top EmployersHamilton, Burlington & Niagara RegionThe Hamilton SpectatorNovember 20, 20152007
National Capital Region's Top EmployersNational Capital Region Ottawa CitizenFebruary 4, 20162005
Montreal's Top EmployersGreater MontrealMontreal GazetteFebruary 4, 20162005
Atlantic Canada's Top EmployersAtlantic CanadaAtlantic Business MagazineJanuary 6, 20162010
Nova Scotia's Top EmployersNova ScotiaThe Chronicle-HeraldDecember 8, 20152010