Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Kathleen MacDonald, a program and policy specialist at Canadian Food Inspection Agency   (Photo credit: Dan MacDonald / Purple House Photography)

Recognized as one of National Capital Region's Top Employers (2025):

Here are some of the reasons why Canadian Food Inspection Agency was selected as one of National Capital Region's Top Employers (2025):

  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency provides long-serving employees with the option to apply for additional time off through educational leave, unpaid leave and self-funded leaves programs
  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency supports employees starting a family with maternity and parental leave top-ups, providing a full year of paid leave for new mothers and 93 per cent of salary for up to 37 weeks for fathers and adoptive parents
  • Canadian Food Inspection Agency helps employees prepare for the next chapter of their lives with contributions to a defined contribution pension plan, a formal pre-retirement transition program and extended health benefits for retirees (75 per cent premium coverage and no age limit)
Dr. Yves Robinson, a veterinary pathologist at Canadian Food Inspection Agency  

    Highlights

    Industry Federal government, food inspection and regulation
    Established in Canada 1997
    Major Canadian locations Burnaby BC, Calgary AB, Guelph ON, Montréal QC, Moncton NB, Ottawa ON
    Full-time employees in Canada 7,123
    Part-time employees in Canada 367
    Average age of employees in Canada 44.5 years
    Longest serving employee 26.7 years
    Flexible work options hybrid work option, flexible work hours, compressed work week, shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay), telecommuting
    Long-term savings defined-contribution (DC) pension
    Health plan premium as part of the health plan, the employer pays up to 100% of the premiums
    Mental health practitioner benefit up to $5,000 each year
    Maternity top-up (mothers) up to 93% of salary for 18 weeks
    Parental top-up (mothers) up to 93% of salary for 34 weeks
    Parental top-up (fathers) up to 93% of salary for 37 weeks
    Adoption top-up up to 93% of salary for 37 weeks
    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 24 months
    Employee performance reviews employees receive individual performance reviews every 6 months
    In-house training initiatives apprenticeship/skilled trades programs, in-house training, online training, mentoring, leadership development programs, paid internships
    Tuition subsidies (related to job) yes
    Employee charitable involvement employees are involved in selection of charities, employees receive paid time off to volunteer, (up to 2 paid days)

    Recognized as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2025):

    Here are some of the reasons why Canadian Food Inspection Agency was selected as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2025):

    • Canadian Food Inspection Agency offers a veterinary summer student internship program, hiring students for a 12-week period to work on summer projects across various agency branches and other government departments
    • Canadian Food Inspection Agency also maintains an Indigenous summer student program, which includes mentorship from a full-time Indigenous employee, opportunities to participate in cultural events, skill building workshops and networking opportunities
    • Prior to their start date, students at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency receive a dedicated student onboarding guide that provides guidance and information to support a smooth transition into the workplace -- the organization also hosts student onboarding events to provide new employees with the opportunity connect with peers
    Doris Do, a laboratory analyst at Canadian Food Inspection Agency  

      Highlights

      Industry Federal government, food inspection and regulation
      Major Canadian locations Burnaby BC, Calgary AB, Guelph ON, Montréal QC, Moncton NB, Ottawa ON
      Full-time employees in Canada 7,123
      Student opportunities summer jobs, co-op opportunities, paid internships
      In-house training programs orientation program, in-house training, online training, in-house career planning services, online employee skills inventory, mentoring, apprenticeship/skilled trades programs
      Tuition subsidies (related to job) yes
      Unique training and development opportunities veterinary summer student internship program (12-week program, students work on summer projects across various agency branches and government departments)
      Additional highlights Indigenous summer student program with mentorship from an Indigenous employee (also hosts cultural events, skills training workshops, networking opportunities), student onboarding information sessions (9 events held throughout the summer), student onboarding guide, student bridging inventory (matches current or previously employed students with vacancies within the organization based on their educational and work experience)
      Vacation allowance new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job

      Recognized as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2025):

      Here are some of the reasons why Canadian Food Inspection Agency was selected as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2025):

      • Canadian Food Inspection Agency created a BIPOC Career Navigator role, who provides advice and guidance to BIPOC employees in career development and offers tools to support the job application process, including mock interviews, resume and cover letter preparation
      • Canadian Food Inspection Agency created a diverse selection board member inventory composed of employees who volunteer to serve on selection boards and assist in identifying potential barriers and biases in the selection process -- the agency also shares employment equity workforce data with staffing and recruitment teams to ensure hiring managers are aware of any gaps in representation
      • Canadian Food Inspection Agency implemented an Accessibility Report and Action Plan to improve representation and supports for persons with disabilities -- the plan includes efforts to recruit and retain individuals with disabilities by establishing partnerships with external organizations for targeted recruitment initiatives and creating dedicated hiring pools of candidates who self-identify as persons with disabilities
      Dr. Perminder Bansal, a national specialist at Canadian Food Inspection Agency in Ottawa  

        Highlights

        Industry Federal government, food inspection and regulation
        Major Canadian locations Burnaby BC, Calgary AB, Guelph ON, Montréal QC, Moncton NB, Ottawa ON
        Full-time employees in Canada 7,123
        Management of diversity and inclusion initiatives equity and diversity steering committee, led by the chief diversity officer (also serves as the agency's diversity champion), national Indigenous advisory circle (employees provide Indigenous perspectives to the agency)
        Performance management and accountability measures mobility data (number of hires, promotions, departures), semi-annual and quarterly workforce employment equity representation data is provided to staffing and recruitment teams, tracks candidates recruited from equity groups, commitments to diversity and inclusion are included in every executive's performance management agreement, Government of Canada commitments on diversity and inclusion (Advancing Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) included in executives' performance management agreements
        Employee resource groups national networks include: Employee Accessibility Network, 2SLGBTQIA+ Network, Visible Minority Forum, Black Employees Network, Women’s Circle, National Indigenous Advisory Circle; area networks that focus on diversity and inclusion initiatives from a regional perspective (four distinct geographic areas)
        Noteworthy diversity strategies and policies anti-racism taskforce, includes a BIPOC career navigator role (advice and guidance to BIPOC employees on career development), diverse selection board member inventory (employee volunteers for selection boards, assist in identifying potential barriers and biases in selection), proactively discloses cases of reported discrimination and harassment for transparency
        Recruitment initiatives Indigenous summer student program (offers cultural teachings, support, professional development training, and networking opportunities in addition to the work placement), partners with LiveWorkPlay to hire individuals with intellectual disabilities, diversity and HR programs Indigenous team engages with Indigenous communities, post-secondary institutions, friendship centres, working groups and communities of practice to promote Indigenous recruitment at the organization, national Diverse Selection Board Members Inventory comprised of volunteers from equity-deserving groups to assist managers with recruitment activities, reconciliation action plan and strategy
        Retention and development programs partners with Indigenous Services Canada to offer seats at the professional development programs they offer: Indigenous career management for employees program (2-year program for Indigenous employees at the EX-3 level and lower) and Indigenous managerial development program, official language training pilot program for BIPOC employees
        Training and awareness initiatives unconscious bias course, staffing guidance tools for managers in the hiring process, dedicated intranet page for diversity and inclusion resources and training sessions
        Diversity highlights is working on a disabilities action plan, piloting an official languages training to help BIPOC with career progression, connects with other Government of Canada departments and agencies for best practices in Indigenous recruitment, Women's Circle hosted a virtual self-defence class

        The Career Directory

        Canadian Food Inspection Agency has been selected for The Career Directory, our guide to entry-level recruitment for recent college and university graduates.
        Members of the Indigenous Employee Network at Canadian Food Inspection Agency

          Highlights for New Grads

          Industry Federal government, food inspection and regulation
          Full-time employees in Canada 5,001 to 10,000
          Major Canadian locations Burnaby BC, Calgary AB, Guelph ON, Montréal QC, Moncton NB, Ottawa 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
          Tuition subsidies (related to job) yes
          Typical new grad positions Biologist, Chemist, Inspector, Laboratory Technician, Veterinarian, Administrative Assistant, Human Resources Assistant, Communications Advisor, Computer Systems Professional, Financial Analyst, Human Resources Professional, Policy Officer, Statistician
          Work benefits health benefits for new employees, flexible work hours, telecommuting, employees receive paid time off to volunteer
          Vacation allowance new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job

          Academic fields recruited


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