Top Companies 2019: Where Canada wants to work now　

The 2019 LinkedIn Top Companies list reveals the 25 companies where Canadians want to work — and stick around once they’re in — now.

Every year, our editors and data scientists parse billions of actions taken by LinkedIn members around the world to uncover the companies that are attracting the most attention from jobseekers and then hanging on to that talent. The data-driven approach looks at what members are doing — not just saying — in their search for fulfilling careers. The result of that data is Top Companies, our 2nd annual ranking of the most sought-after companies today.

As always, we analyze Canada members’ anonymized actions across four main pillars: interest in the company, engagement with the company’s employees, job demand and employee retention. (We exclude LinkedIn and LinkedIn’s parent company, Microsoft, from all LinkedIn Lists. You can dig into the details of our methodology at the bottom of the article.)

You can also check out the Top Companies in the U.S., Australia, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Brazil, Mexico and the UK. See who made the cut and join the conversation using #LinkedInTopCompanies.

Here are this year’s 25 Top Companies in Canada.

Company insights, such as skills and top locations, are sourced from LinkedIn Talent Insights and reflect only employees on LinkedIn. We use headcounts provided by the company whenever possible. More details below.

Headcount in Canada: 57,000 | Top Canada locations: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver | Fastest-growing skills: Python, C++, HTML | Job functions with the most new hires: Finance, Consulting, Sales | What may surprise you: RBC noticed that employees (especially younger workers) weren’t saving enough for retirement, choosing instead to focus on repaying student debt or mortgages. In July, RBC launched a new kind of employer retirement match program. When employees put money against an RBC student loan or mortgage, the bank will match a portion of the sum for their retirement accounts.

See jobs at RBC | See people you may know at RBC

Headcount in Canada: 58,000 | Top Canada locations: Toronto, Montreal, London | Fastest-growing skills: HTML, JavaScript, SQL | Job functions with the most new hires: Finance, Support, Information Technology | What may surprise you: In November, TD’s asset management arm became Canada’s largest investment manager after buying Greystone Capital Management for $792 million.

See jobs at TD | See people you may know at TD

Headcount in Canada: 36,800 | Top Canada locations: Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal | Fastest-growing skills: Market Research, Python, Data Analysis | Job functions with the most new hires: Finance, Support, Information Technology | What may surprise you: In addition to traditional finance jobs, the lender is also hiring data scientists and an algorithmic trading developer.

See jobs at Scotiabank | See people you may know at Scotiabank

Headcount in Canada: 40,000 | Top Canada locations: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver | Fastest-growing skills: Financial Accounting, Market Research, Data Entry | Job functions with the most new hires: Finance, Support, Information Technology | What may surprise you: The bank is moving its head office to a new campus in Toronto called CIBC Square starting next year. Featuring the tallest commercial building in the region, it will include waterfront views of Lake Ontario and floor-to-ceiling windows.

See jobs at CIBC | See people you may know at CIBC

Headcount in Canada: 30,000 | Top Canada locations: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver | Fastest-growing skills: JavaScript, HTML, Java | Job functions with the most new hires: Finance, Support, Information Technology | What may surprise you: BMO has been recognized for its efforts at gender equality and is Canada's only bank featured among the top 25 companies in Thomson Reuters' 2018 global Diversity & Inclusion Index.

See jobs at BMO Financial Group | See people you may know at BMO Financial Group

Headcount in Canada: 9,400 | Top Canada locations: Toronto, Montreal, Calgary | Fastest-growing skills: Python, HTML, C++ | Job functions with the most new hires: Accounting, Consulting, Business Development | What may surprise you: Deloitte is in the process of hiring hundreds of artificial intelligence workers across the country, tripling its new AI practice to about 1,000 people, according to the Globe and Mail.

See jobs at Deloitte Canada | See people you may know at Deloitte Canada

Headcount in Canada: 18,700 | Top Canada locations: Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa | Fastest-growing skills: Python, MySQL, JavaScript | Job functions with the most new hires: Finance, Support, Engineering | What may surprise you: National Bank was recently recognized as one of Canada’s 100 top employers for young people, thanks to its rotational programs, mentorship programs and “Let’s Talk Career Days” where employees can consult with recruiters and the human resources team.

See jobs at National Bank of Canada | See people you may know at National Bank of Canada

Global headcount: 4,000 | Top Canada locations: Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal | Fastest-growing skills: AngularJS, React.js, Machine Learning | Job functions with the most new hires: Engineering, Media and Communication, Information Technology | What may surprise you: Shopify is investing in untapped immigrant talent through its Android Bootcamp, where newcomers with development experience are taught how to build an Android app. The initiative even led to two new hires for Shopify.

See jobs at Shopify | See people you may know at Shopify

Global headcount: 45,500 | Top Canada locations: Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa | Fastest-growing skills: Active Directory, Windows Server, Social Media Marketing | Job functions with the most new hires: Finance, Support, Community and Social Services | What may surprise you: Desjardins gives 18-to 30-year-olds a chance to experience being part of a Board of Directors through its Young Intern Officer program. Participants take part in company decisions, help oversee strategic performance and get access to a training program on financial institution management.

See jobs at Desjardins | See people you may know at Desjardins

Headcount in Canada: 7,000 | Top Canada locations: Toronto, Montreal, Calgary | Fastest-growing skills: Software Development, SQL, Workday | Job functions with the most new hires: Accounting, Consulting, Information Technology | What may surprise you: PwC values flexibility, and employees have access to a range of options to design a work schedule that fits their lifestyle. Options include working remotely, reduced hours (either fewer days per week or less hours per day) and flex days offering extra paid time off after an especially busy period in the office.

See jobs at PwC Canada | See people you may know at PwC Canada

Headcount in Canada: 51,700 | Top Canada locations: Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa | Fastest-growing skills: C++, Linux, Java | Job functions with the most new hires: Sales, Information Technology, Engineering | What may surprise you: Through its “Hire a Veteran” initiative, Bell gives qualified Canadian veterans priority in hiring across all of its divisions. More than 250 veterans and veteran spouses have joined Bell since the program’s implementation in December 2013.

See jobs at Bell | See people you may know at Bell

Headcount in Canada: 7,000 | Top Canada locations: Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal | Fastest-growing skills: Supply Chain Management, Requirements Analysis, SQL | Job functions with the most new hires: Accounting, Consulting, Information Technology | What may surprise you: KPMG believes its employees have a duty to their communities, even making it part of each worker’s annual goals. It also celebrates employees’ volunteer effort: Recipients of its annual “Community Leader” awards are recognized company-wide, and KPMG donates up to $2,000 toward the organization of their choice.

See jobs at KPMG Canada | See people you may know at KPMG Canada

Manulife is the parent company of John Hancock.

Global headcount: 35,000 | Top Canada locations: Toronto, Kitchener, Montreal | Fastest-growing skills: JavaScript, C++, Java | Job functions with the most new hires: Finance, Engineering, Information Technology | What may surprise you: The insurance and financial services company launched its own startup-like incubator — the Lab of Forward Thinking (LOFT) — where Manulife employees team up to research, prototype and develop emerging technologies and new business processes that can be implemented across the firm.

See jobs at Manulife | See people you may know at Manulife

Headcount in Canada: 53,600 | Top Canada locations: Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal | Fastest-growing skills: Digital Marketing, JavaScript, HTML | Job functions with the most new hires: Sales, Information Technology, Engineering | What may surprise you: The telecommunications company has more than 1,800 employees, from clinicians to programmers, dedicated to developing health care tools and technologies.

See jobs at TELUS | See people you may know at TELUS

Global headcount: 367,000 | Top Canada locations: Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa | Fastest-growing skills: C#, Python, MySQL | Job functions with the most new hires: Engineering, Information Technology, Program and Project Management | What may surprise you: IBM has been investing in “New Collar” jobs — roles that don’t require a traditional bachelor’s degree. As many as a third of IBM employees worldwide have less than a four-year degree.

See jobs at IBM | See people you may know at IBM

Amazon is the parent company of Whole Foods, Audible, Zappos and others.

Headcount in Canada: 10,000 | Top Canada locations: Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary | Fastest-growing skills: Sales Management, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Customer Satisfaction | Job functions with the most new hires: Operations, Engineering, Sales | What may surprise you: In addition to expanding its current downtown Vancouver office, Amazon announced that it will build a new Canada hub in the city by 2022, which is expected to bring 3,000 additional high-tech jobs to the West Coast.

See jobs at Amazon | See people you may know at Amazon

Headcount in Canada: 1,400 | Top Canada locations: Toronto, Fredericton, Vancouver | Fastest-growing skills: Human Resources, Market Research, Cold Calling | Job functions with the most new hires: Sales, Engineering, Business Development | What may surprise you: Salesforce founder Mark Benioff announced in early 2018 that the company will invest US$2 billion in its Canadian operations over the next five years. That includes expanding its local workforce, its office space and data center capacity.

See jobs at Salesforce | See people you may know at Salesforce

Headcount in Canada: 6,000 | Top Canada locations: Toronto, Montreal, Calgary | Fastest-growing skills: Adobe Photoshop, QuickBooks, Operations Management | Job functions with the most new hires: Accounting, Consulting, Finance | What may surprise you: EY provides working parents and their university-bound children with college coaches to help them select schools, prepare applications, handle interviews and figure out the best way to pay for college.

See jobs at EY | See people you may know at EY

Loblaw Companies is the parent company of Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart, President’s Choice Financial, Joe Fresh and others.

Headcount in Canada: 200,000 | Top Canada locations: Toronto, Kitchener, Montreal | Fastest-growing skills: Cosmetology, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutics | Job functions with the most new hires: Operations, Support, Sales | What may surprise you: Loblaw Companies has a strong tradition of hiring new graduates, recruiting from a number of Canadian universities. Some of the most common new grad positions include quality assurance analyst, supply chain analyst and customer service representative.

See jobs at Loblaw Companies | See people you may know at Loblaw Companies

Headcount in Canada: 12,500 | Top Canada locations: Montreal, Toronto, Calgary | Fastest-growing skills: MySQL, JavaScript, Social Media Marketing | Job functions with the most new hires: Finance, Sales, Support | What may surprise you: The insurance company offers several flexible work options, including a “3-2/2-3 program” that allows employees to work from home three days a week one week, then two days the next, and vice versa.

See jobs at Intact | See people you may know at Intact

Headcount in Canada: 2,500 | Top Canada locations: Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton | Fastest-growing skills: Technical Support, Data Analysis, Customer Satisfaction | Job functions with the most new hires: Operations, Program and Project Management, Engineering | What may surprise you: In addition to $1,500 in tuition subsidies every year, the construction company gives its employees access to skill development seminars at “EllisDon University,” which offers courses in topics like conflict resolution and Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) certifications.

See jobs at EllisDon | See people you may know at EllisDon

Headcount in Canada: 8,000 | Top Canada locations: Toronto, Montreal, Calgary | Fastest-growing skills: Matlab, Data Analysis, Manufacturing | Job functions with the most new hires: Engineering, Operations, Program and Project Management | What may surprise you: The civil engineering company has over 400 job openings in Canada, recruiting a diverse pool of talents including electrical engineer, highway designer and geomatician — to name a few.

See jobs at WSP | See people you may know at WSP

Headcount in Canada: 11,700 | Top Canada locations: Calgary, Alberta, Toronto | Fastest-growing skills: AutoCAD, Data Analysis, Human Resources (HR) | Job functions with the most new hires: Operations, Engineering, Support | What may surprise you: In addition to a gym and sweeping skyline views, Suncor’s custom-designed Calgary headquarters features one rare perk: an on-site daycare. While Suncor doesn’t subsidize the cost, its fees are competitive with local daycares.

See jobs at Suncor Energy | See people you may know at Suncor Energy

Global headcount: 68,000 | Top Canada locations: Montreal, Toronto, Kitchener | Fastest-growing skills: Industrial Engineering, AutoCAD, Customer Satisfaction | Job functions with the most new hires: Operations, Engineering, Information Technology | What may surprise you: Bombardier launched the world's longest range business jet, the Global 7500, in December 2018 and is hiring for a number of positions, including an analyst and supervisor for the Global 7500 program.

See jobs at Bombardier | See people you may know at Bombardier

Alphabet is the parent company of Google, YouTube, Nest and others.

Global headcount: 98,800 | Top Canada locations: Toronto, Kitchener, Montreal | Fastest-growing skills: Troubleshooting, Data Structures, Matlab | Job functions with the most new hires: Engineering, Media and Communication, Sales | What may surprise you: Google, Alphabet’s largest subsidiary, opened its first Canadian cloud platform region in Montreal this past year, signaling the company’s ongoing investment in the region and country. Google has already invested $4.5 million over the past three years in the Montreal Institute for Machine Learning at the Université de Montréal.

See jobs at Alphabet | See people you may know at Alphabet

Share the full list and your thoughts on this year's Top Companies using #LinkedInTopCompanies.

Methodology

LinkedIn ranks companies based on four pillars: interest in the company, engagement with employees, job demand and employee retention. Interest in the company is measured by unique, non-employee new follows of the company’s LinkedIn page. Employee engagement looks at how many non-employees are viewing unique employees at the company. Job demand counts the rate at which people are viewing and applying to jobs at the company, including both paid and unpaid job postings on LinkedIn. Employee retention measures how many employees are still at the company at least one year after their date of hire, based on LinkedIn member profiles. To be eligible, companies must have at least 500 employees as of Feb. 1 and must have flat or positive employee growth over the 12 months (based on LinkedIn Talent Insights data). Only parent companies rank on the list; majority-owned subsidiaries and associated data are wrapped into its total score. All data is normalized based on company size. The methodology and insights time frame is Feb. 1, 2018 through Jan. 31, 2019. All data is aggregated and anonymized to protect members’ private information.

We exclude all staffing and recruiting firms, nonprofits, educational institutions, government agencies and government-owned entities. We also exclude LinkedIn and LinkedIn’s parent company, Microsoft, from any LinkedIn Lists.

About company insights

*Company insights were sourced from LinkedIn Talent Insights and include the parent company and majority-owned subsidiaries. Data reflects aggregated public member data from active LinkedIn profiles in the relevant country and includes full-time employee profiles associated with the parent company and majority-owned subsidiaries on LinkedIn. We exclude members who identify as part-time or contractors. Headcounts are provided by the companies directly or public filings, unless otherwise noted with an asterisk. Those headcounts are based on LinkedIn data. The insights reflect a 12-month time period looking back from February 2019.

Reported by: Riva Gold, Missy Chen and Laura Lorenzetti.