Canada is home to some of the largest and most professionally advanced enterprises globally. Each of these firms carries its own unique history, way of doing things, and work culture that has helped them reach where they are today. In this article, we take a closer look at ten of Canada’s largest enterprises and check out what makes them so successful.
Enbridge
Size: More than 10,000 employees
Industry: Energy, mining, and utilities
Description: Enbridge, a multinational gas distribution company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, dates back to its founding in 1949. The company is distinguished as the world’s longest crude oil and liquid pipeline, stretching over 27,564 kilometers. Enbridge plays a pivotal role in transporting crude oil throughout Canada, the United States, and offshore to the Gulf of Mexico, having transported 29.5 billion barrels of crude oil over the last decade. In addition to its fossil fuel endeavors, Enbridge is a significant player in renewable energy, with investments in wind and solar energy projects.
Job opportunities are regularly posted on their website, with most positions situated in Canada and parts of the United States. Enbridge also collaborates with the Ian Martin Group to hire student contractors for defined durations, and its current market capitalization stands at $114.80 billion.
Scotiabank
Size: More than 10,000 employees
Industry: Finance
Description: The Bank of Nova Scotia, established in Halifax in 1832 and headquartered in Toronto since 1900, provides a wide range of financial services, including personal and commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, and wealth management. Scotiabank is renowned for its acquisitions and mergers with financial institutions worldwide, maintaining subsidiaries across Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, and parts of Asia. With a market capitalization of approximately $110.56 billion, the bank also sponsors various sporting and cultural events in Canada and internationally.
Brookfield Asset Management
Size: More than 10,000 employees
Industry: Real estate
Description: Brookfield Asset Management ranks among the world’s leading alternative investment firms. This multinational Canadian company focuses on direct control investments in real estate, renewable power, infrastructure, credit, and private equity. As of 2021, BAM managed approximately $688 billion in assets and played a role in subsidiary companies, such as Oaktree Capital, specializing in investments in distressed securities.
Career opportunities within Brookfield are diverse, covering fields like HR, investment, and accounting. The company emphasizes on-the-job training for employees, fostering flexibility and the opportunity to explore different roles.
Canadian Pacific
Size: More than 10,000 employees
Industry: Transportation and logistics
Description: The Canadian Pacific Railway, established in 1881, comprises 20,100 kilometers of track across seven Canadian provinces. Over the years, the company expanded into the United States, acquiring two American railroads in 2009. The diversified Canadian Pacific offers benefits like pension plans, a scholarship program for employees’ children, and initiatives to preserve and protect the environment.
Canadian National Railway
Size: More than 10,000 employees
Industry: Transportation and logistics
Description: The Canadian National Railway is a Class I freight railway and holds the distinction of being the largest railway in Canada in terms of revenue and network coverage, which spans approximately 32,831 kilometers. Serving a vast region, it extends its railway network across Canada, the Midwest, and Southern United States.
Privatized in 1995, the company boasts a market capitalization estimated at $88.94 billion. In the last decade, as the company expanded, it positively influenced its employee treatment, offering benefits like paid internships for students, health insurance, and two weeks of paid vacation after the first year of employment.
BMO Financial Group
Size: More than 10,000 employees
Industry: Finance
Description: The Bank of Montreal (BMO) was officially founded in 1817, making it Canada’s oldest bank. With 900 branches and seven million customers across the country, it also extends its reach into the United States under the name BMO Harris Bank. The bank’s value stands at approximately $95.39 billion. BMO promotes diversity, personal and career fulfillment, and sustainable environmental practices.
TD Bank
Size: More than 10,000 employees
Industry: Finance
Description: The Toronto-Dominion (TD) Bank, founded in 1955 after the merger of the Bank of Toronto and Dominion Bank, is renowned worldwide for its many banking and financial services. TD has expanded its footprint to more than 1,000 branches to serve its 11 million Canadian customers.
Additionally, it caters to approximately 26 million clients globally, with 1,200 branches across 16 U.S. states. TD Bank provides employment opportunities spanning various sectors and maintains a robust campus recruitment program. The bank has a special recruitment initiative for veterans and holds a market capitalization of approximately $178 billion. Employee benefits include parental leave and various insurance plans.
Canadian Natural
Size: More than 10,000 employees
Industry: Energy, mining, and utilities
Description: Canadian Natural is an oil and natural gas company primarily operating in Western Canadian provinces. The company also conducts offshore operations in various international locations, such as the United Kingdom and Gabon. Canadian Natural holds rights to the world’s largest undeveloped base in the western Canadian sedimentary basin.
Magna International Inc.
Size: More than 10,000 employees
Industry: Transportation, equipment, and manufacturing
Description: Established in 1957, Magna International Inc. is a major supplier to the automobile industry. With a global workforce of 158,000 professionals, Magna embodies innovation in its organizational structure and entrepreneurial spirit. With over 60 years of experience, Magna takes a systems-based approach to design, engineering, and production, covering nearly every aspect of a vehicle.
The company’s influence extends across 28 countries, including 347 production facilities and 84 product research, engineering, and sales centers. Magna International also provides comprehensive insurance benefits for its employees, encompassing health, dental, mental health care, and occupational accident insurance.
Shopify
Size: More than 10,000 employees
Industry: Information technology
Description: Shopify, an e-commerce company founded in 2006, serves as a platform for online retailers to conduct business. Offering a comprehensive suite of services, including payments, marketing, shipping, and customer engagement tools, the platform caters to 1.7 million businesses in 175 countries, operating 1.58 million websites as of 2021.
Given its nature as an e-commerce company, the majority of available positions are in the technology field, and many employees have the flexibility to work remotely.
FAQs
Q : What are the largest industries in Canada?
A : Canada’s major industries include finance, transportation, energy, real estate, and information technology.
Q : Do these Canadian enterprises offer employee benefits?
A : Yes, these enterprises typically provide various benefits, including health insurance, pension plans, and career development opportunities.
Q : Are there opportunities for remote work at these companies in Canada?
A : Some of these companies offer remote work options, especially in the technology and finance sectors, depending on the role and company policies.
Q : What are some international corporations from Canada?
A : Some well-known international corporations from Canada include Shopify, Bombardier, Brookfield Asset Management, and Barrick Gold. These companies operate in various industries and have a significant international presence.