Canada Foundation for Innovation ranks 15th in the Top 50 Best Small and Medium Employers in Canada

January 15, 2009

OTTAWA, January 14, 2009 – The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is proud to be named among the Top 50 Best Small and Medium Employers in Canada, ranking 15th in this year’s annual survey. This is the third time in five years the corporation has earned the honour.

“Once again, the Canada Foundation for Innovation is recognized for fostering an environment of excellence within its organization,” said William C. Leggett, Chair of the Board of Directors.

With a mandate to invest in cutting-edge research infrastructure that helps fuel innovation in universities, colleges, teaching hospitals and non-profit research institutions across Canada, the CFI is again being recognized as an exceptional place to work.

“This result is a testament to the CFI being an employer of choice,” said Dr. Eliot Phillipson, President and CEO of the CFI. “The creative and devoted people at the CFI strive for the same excellence they expect in their funded institutions—excellence that is fundamental for success in today’s highly competitive global research environment.”

Becoming a Top Best Small and Medium Employer is a competitive process. Run by the Centre for Business Venturing at the Queen’s School of Business, in partnership with Hewitt Associates, the program recognizes top employers with between 50 and 400 employees. This study mirrors the renowned Best Employer in Canada initiative.

The rankings are primarily determined using the results from Employee Opinion Surveys with 18 key engagement drivers detailed and analyzed. The evaluation process also includes the assessment of organization practices and perspectives from the leadership team. This year, more than 250 companies across Canada registered to participate in the study. 

Find more information about the Best Small and Medium Employers in Canada online at http://business.queensu.ca/qcbv/sme.

About the CFI

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is an independent corporation created by the Government of Canada to fund research infrastructure. The CFI’s mandate is to strengthen the capacity of Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and non-profit research institutions to carry out world-class research and technology development that benefits Canadians. Since its creation in 1997, the CFI has committed almost $4.5 billion in support of more than 6,000 projects at 129 research institutions in 64 municipalities across Canada.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Yves Melanson
Coordinator, Media Relations
Canada Foundation for Innovation
Tel.: 613-996-3160
Cell.: 613-447-1723
yves.melanson@innovation.ca
www.innovation.ca

Sandra Olszowka
Director, Projects
Queen’s Centre for Business Venturing
Queen’s School of Business
Phone:  613.533.3119 
solszowka@business.queensu.ca