Health Canada / Santé Canada
Employees in Health Canada's Young Professionals Network work together  

Recognized as one of National Capital Region's Top Employers (2024):

Here are some of the reasons why Health Canada / Santé Canada was selected as one of National Capital Region's Top Employers (2024):

  • Health Canada supports upward career mobility through a number of professional development opportunities, including secondments, micro-missions (short-term assignments to help employees expand their skills or knowledge), and a new government-wide mentorship program to encourage employees to establish a connection with individuals working at other entities
  • Health Canada honours individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the department through instant awards and deputy minister awards for excellence in a variety of categories (leadership, innovation and creativity, science, young professional, and workplace well-being, to name a few)
  • Health Canada manages an internal Solutions Fund initiative, enabling employees to receive funding to develop and implement projects that will improve the health and safety of Canadians, while also enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization
Employee at Health Canada  

    Highlights

    Industry Federal government, administration of public health programs
    Established in Canada 1919
    Parent company Government of Canada
    Parent company head office Ottawa ON
    Major Canadian locations Vancouver BC, Edmonton AB, Longueuil QC, Burnaby BC, Ottawa ON, Halifax NS, Winnipeg MB, Toronto ON, Montréal QC
    Full-time employees in Canada 9,937
    Part-time employees in Canada 215
    Average age of employees in Canada 43 years
    Longest serving employee 49 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-benefit (DB) 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 $2,500 each year
    Maternity top-up (mothers) up to 93% of salary for 15 weeks
    Parental top-up (mothers) up to 93% of salary for 37 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
    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 1 paid day)

    Recognized as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2024):

    Here are some of the reasons why Health Canada / Santé Canada was selected as one of Canada's Top Employers for Young People (2024):

    • Health Canada manages the Solutions Fund, a unique departmental initiative that allows employees to identify, develop and implement projects that will improve the health and safety of Canadians
    • Health Canada's Young Professionals Network hosts various events throughout the year for onboarding and networking, with a focus on supporting professional development, equipping current and future leaders, and amplifying the voices of early-career staff -- the network also hosts the MegaConnex event, providing students with opportunities to network with senior executives and share their experiences
    • Health Canada also maintains a student bridging inventory that provides hiring managers with a pool of recent graduates with federal government experience to be considered for permanent roles (includes past participants in the Federal Student Work Experience Program, co-op opportunities and research affiliate programs)
    Health Canada employee  

      Highlights

      Industry Federal government, administration of public health programs
      Major Canadian locations Vancouver BC, Edmonton AB, Longueuil QC, Burnaby BC, Ottawa ON, Halifax NS, Winnipeg MB, Toronto ON, Montréal QC
      Full-time employees in Canada 9,937
      Student opportunities summer jobs, co-op opportunities
      In-house training programs orientation program, in-house training, online training, in-house career planning services, mentoring, leadership training, apprenticeship/skilled trades programs
      Tuition subsidies (related to job) yes
      Unique training and development opportunities paid internship opportunities include assignments, secondments, and micro-missions, student orientation guide (recently adapted to reflect work-from-home reality), Take Me With You initiative (employees can ask managers and peers to attend meetings that relate to interests, career goals and files)
      Additional highlights participates in the Federal Internship for Newcomers Program and Federal Student Work Experience Program, Research Affiliate Program placements provide part-time opportunities for students to conduct innovative research, participates in the Post-Secondary Co-operative Education and Internship Program, Science Management Development Program (opportunities for employees with science backgrounds to broaden their work experience and leadership development), RISE student hiring inventory (database of students who have completed or are completing a period of employment through the Federal Student Work Experience program, co-op, or internship)
      Dedicated employee resource group Young Professionals Network, Leadership for All Community of Practice (over 6,000 members from multiple departments and agencies, objectives are to inform management of employee needs, build leadership skills, and encourage employees to exercise leadership in their roles)
      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 (2024):

      Here are some of the reasons why Health Canada / Santé Canada was selected as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers (2024):

      • Health Canada launched its Accessibility Passport in 2019, which has since been adopted across the public service to help employees identify accommodation needs and support requirements -- the organization also established its first accessibility plan, with objectives and commitments for action in eight areas (employment, built environment, information and communication technologies, communications, procurement of goods, services and facilities, design and delivery of programs and services, transportation, and culture)
      • Health Canada executives have formal diversity and inclusion commitments embedded in their performance agreements, including commitments to advancing anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion in the public service, implementing the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and applying a "by default" approach to the implementation of the public service accessibility strategy and the Accessible Canada Act
      • Health Canada maintains three dedicated programs to support Indigenous employees at every stage of their career progression -- initiatives include an Aboriginal employee supports program (training and learning opportunities for Indigenous employees), dedicated career management services, and a management development program to help prepare high potential employees for careers in the executive cadre
      A scientist at Health Canada  

        Highlights

        Industry Federal government, administration of public health programs
        Major Canadian locations Vancouver BC, Edmonton AB, Longueuil QC, Burnaby BC, Ottawa ON, Halifax NS, Winnipeg MB, Toronto ON, Montréal QC
        Full-time employees in Canada 9,937
        Management of diversity and inclusion initiatives equity, diversity and inclusion office created in 2022, leadership council on diversity and inclusion, dedicated champion responsible for diversity and inclusiveness initiatives, senior executive diversity and inclusion champions (promote accessibility, diversity, equity and inclusion within employee networks)
        Performance management and accountability voluntary self-identification and applicant data, branches can access an interactive employment equity dashboard (updated monthly) to identify gaps and address them in HR planning, supervisors, managers and executives have commitments and performance objectives related to creating healthy, respectful, inclusive, safe, and productive work environments
        Employee resource groups Indigenous Employees' Network, Persons with Disabilities Network, Gender and Sexual Diversity Network, Visible Minorities Network, Young Professionals Network, Black Employees Matter Network, Jewish Employees Network
        Noteworthy diversity strategies and policies extensive mental health and wellness strategy, each branch supports a mental health and workplace wellness action plan, created a Workplace Wellness Service Centre (provides case management services, tools, resources and single window access to services related to disability management, duty to accommodate and occupational health and safety), sex and gender-based analysis plus policy and action plan
        Recruitment initiatives established recruitment leads and staffing targets for all specialty groups such as veterans, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, racialized and other equity seeking groups, provides training on inclusive recruitment for managers and HR advisors, also offers a guide on assessing candidates with disabilities, works with LiveWorkPlay to provide employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in each branch, participates in the Employment Opportunities for Students with Disabilities initiative, the Indigenous Student Employment Opportunity program, and the Federal Internship for Newcomers Program
        Retention and development programs Aboriginal Management Development Program (helps employees prepare for careers in the executive cadre by enhancing leadership skills and broadening experience), Aboriginal Career Management for Employees program (provides job training, coaching, workshops and guided self-assessments to help employees build competencies to advance their skills), Aboriginal Employee Supports program (provides training and learning opportunities for Indigenous employees throughout the year, such as language training), mentorship plus pilot program for persons with disabilities, racialized people, Indigenous peoples and participants who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community (offered through the Treasury Board Secretariat’s new Centre for Diversity and Inclusion)
        Training and awareness initiatives mental health first aid toolkit, formal guide on creating a safe workplace experience for Indigenous peoples, Black and other racialized individuals as well as a guide on supporting gender diversity in the workplace, 17th annual Diversity and Inclusion Week (event focused on creating a barrier-free workplace)
        Diversity highlights equitable access to language training program (specifically for Indigenous peoples, racialized persons and persons with disabilities), Inclusion Matters podcast (topics include anti-racism, reconciliation, and gender diversity), Indigenous Employee Network collaborated with the corporate anti-racism and anti-discrimination team and other employee networks to develop changes to executive, manager and supervisor performance management agreements, which focus on reconciliation, anti-racism, anti-discrimination, diversity and inclusion

        The Career Directory

        Health Canada / Santé Canada has been selected for The Career Directory, our guide to entry-level recruitment for recent college and university graduates.

        Highlights for New Grads

        Industry Federal government, administration of public health programs
        Full-time employees in Canada 5,001 to 10,000
        Parent company Government of Canada
        Parent company head office Ottawa ON
        Major Canadian locations Vancouver BC, Edmonton AB, Longueuil QC, Burnaby BC, Ottawa ON, Halifax NS, Winnipeg MB, Toronto ON, Montréal QC
        Student opportunities 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
        Tuition subsidies (related to job) yes
        Typical new grad positions Biologist, Scientific Regulator, Chemist Policy Analyst, Program Officer, Financial Analyst, Computer Analyst, Communications Officer
        Starting salary $55K to $60K
        Work benefits health benefits for new employees, flexible work hours, telecommuting, employees receive paid time off to volunteer, (up to 1 paid day)
        Vacation allowance new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job

        Academic fields recruited

        Recruits at these schools


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