Recognized as one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers (2021):
By Richard Yerema and Kristina Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Dec 3, 2020)
Here are some of the reasons why AstraZeneca Canada Inc. was selected as one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers (2021):
- AstraZeneca Canada is dedicated to giving back to communities in which employees live and work, recently expanding the number of paid volunteer days from three to five days for the 2020 calendar year -- additionally, as part of the company's response to the pandemic, AstraZeneca Canada increased its matching employee donation program to a ratio of two to one for all donations made to Food Banks (to a maximum of $500)
- AstraZeneca Canada supports employees who are new mothers with maternity leave top-up payments to 100 per cent of salary for 17 weeks and also offers parental leave top-up for fathers and adoptive parents, to 100 per cent of salary for 11 weeks
- AstraZeneca Canada takes a thoughtful approach when helping employees manage unexpected challenges, offering compassionate leave top-up for those called upon to care for a loved one (to 100 per cent of salary for up to 12 weeks)

AstraZeneca Canada employees participate in the One Million Trees initiative on the organization's volunteer day
Highlights
Industry | Pharmaceutical manufacturing |
Established in Canada | 1999 |
Publicly traded | yes |
Parent company | AstraZeneca |
Major Canadian hiring locations | Toronto ON, Mississauga ON |
Full-time employees in Canada | 884 |
Part-time employees in Canada | 1 |
Average age of employees in Canada | 41 years |
Longest serving employee | 40 years |
Benefits note | AstraZeneca Canada Inc. has multiple employee groups, the following programs and policies may vary by position |
Long-term savings | defined-contribution (DC) pension, matching RSP |
Health plan premium | as part of the health plan, the employer pays up to 100% of the premiums |
Flexible work options | flexible work hours, telecommuting |
Vacation allowance | new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job |
Outside survey period | outside consultant surveys are held every 12 months |
Employee performance reviews | employees receive individual performance reviews every 6 months |
In-house training initiatives | in-house training, online training, leadership training, mentoring, paid internships |
Related tuition subsidies | employer covers up to 100% of tuition per year |
Annual tuition maximum | employer pays up to $6,000 in tuition subsidies for job-related courses per year |
Employee charitable involvement | employees are involved in selection of charities, employees receive paid time off to volunteer, (up to 3 paid days) |
COVID-19
Pandemic response | introduced virtual health care services (unlimited 24-hour access to certified Canadian medical practitioners), created guidelines to support physical and mental well-being as employees transitioned to work from home, donated $10,000 to the Canadian Red Cross, increased its matching employee donation program to a ratio of 2:1 for all donations made to Food Banks Canada to May (to a maximum of $500), hosted a virtual "Together at Home" concert to raise funds for Food Banks Canada (over $75,000 raised during the concert and as part of a month-long campaign), provided employees with 2 additional days off to volunteer (for a total of 5 volunteer days until the end of 2020) |
The Career Directory
AstraZeneca Canada Inc. has been selected for The Career Directory, our guide to entry-level recruitment for recent college and university graduates.

AstraZeneca Canada thanks its employees during an employee appreciation day
Highlights for New Grads
Industry | Pharmaceutical manufacturing |
Full-time employees in Canada | 751 to 1,000 |
Parent company | AstraZeneca |
Major Canadian hiring locations | Toronto ON, Mississauga ON |
Student opportunities | paid internships, summer jobs, co-op opportunities |
Training | subsidies for professional accreditation, orientation program, online training, in-house training, mentoring, in-house career planning services, leadership training |
Annual tuition maximum | employer pays up to $6,000 in tuition subsidies for job-related courses per year |
Typical new grad positions | Medical Sales Representative, Marketing Associate Manager, Financial Analyst, HR Coordinator, Medical Sales Representative, Marketing Manager, Medical Science Liaison, Financial Analyst, Human Resources Coordinator |
Starting salary | $60K to $65K |
Work benefits | health benefits for new employees, flexible work hours, telecommuting, employees receive paid time off to volunteer, (up to 3 paid days) |
Vacation allowance | new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job |
Academic fields recruited
-
Bachelor of Arts
- Business
- French
- Public Relations / Communications
-
Bachelor of Commerce / Business Administration
- Accounting
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Marketing
-
Bachelor of Laws
-
Bachelor of Science
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Health Sciences
- Kinesiology
- Microbiology
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Psychology
-
Community College Diploma
- Business
- Marketing / Sales
-
Doctorate (Science)
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Health Sciences
-
Master of Business Administration
- Accounting
- Finance
- Marketing
-
Master of Science
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Health Sciences
- Immunology
- Kinesiology
- Microbiology
- Nursing / Health Administration
- Nutrition
- Pharmacy
- Psychology
-
Secondary Education
- High School Diploma
Recruits at these schools
- McMaster University
- University of Toronto
- University of Waterloo