Toronto 2019

In November 2019, the Top Employer Summit was held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto and featured a line-up of distinguished keynote speakers, including world-renowned photographer, Edward Burtynsky, the Chief Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), the Honourable Senator Murray Sinclair, and Nick Nurse, the Head Coach of the 2019 NBA Champions, the Toronto Raptors.  Each speaker delivered memorable speeches to both inspire and challenge attendees for the future ahead.  This year’s black-tie gala reception, hosted at the spectacular Aria Ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel, celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Canada’s Top 100 Employers project.  It included a marvellous performance by Coeur de Pirate, one of the most popular musicians in the French-speaking world.

View Photos

Vancouver 2018

Keynote Speaker Sarah McLachlan

In November 2018, the Top Employer Summit was held at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver, BC and featured award-winning singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan, who performed a private concert for attendees and shared her inspiring story of building a music school that helps over one thousand at-risk youth in three Canadian cities every year. The gala black-tie dinner reception was also held at spectacular Star Sapphire Ballroom of The Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel.

View Photos

Toronto 2017

Keynote Speaker Roberta Bondar

In April 2018, the Top Employer Summit was held at The Hilton Hotel in downtown Toronto and featured Dr. Roberta Bondar, the first Canadian woman and neurologist to fly in space, as its keynote speaker. Dr. Bondar delivered an inspirational address to a captivated audience. The evening networking reception was held at the spectacular Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

View Photos

Vancouver 2016

Keynote Speaker George Takei

In 2016, the Top Employer Summit was held at The Four Seasons Hotel in beautiful Vancouver, BC and featured distinguished actor George Takei as its keynote speaker. Mr. Takei delivered a heartfelt keynote address along with CEOs from widely admired employers such as Provincial Health Services Authority. The gala black-tie dinner reception was held at spectacular Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel, where the Tilden Webb Trio and acclaimed vocalist Jennifer Hayes graced the stage.

View Photos

Toronto 2015

Keynote Speaker Bill Clinton

In 2015, the Top Employer Summit was held at The Hilton Hotel in downtown Toronto and featured former U.S. President Bill Clinton as its keynote speaker. President Clinton delivered a spectacular address along with CEOs from widely admired employers such as Cisco Systems and Ford Motor Company. The gala black-tie dinner reception was held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Yorkville, where acclaimed musicians Trio Arkel graced the stage.

View Photos

Vancouver 2014

Keynote Speaker Ashley Judd

In 2014, the Top Employer Summit was held at The Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia, marking the second time the event was held outside Toronto. Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actress and humanitarian, Ashley Judd, delivered an inspiring keynote speech and distinguished former three-term National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Phil Fontaine a memorable luncheon address. Our gala dinner reception was held at the spectacular Star Sapphire Ballroom of The Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel, featuring a special performance by The Borealis String Quartet.

View Photos

Toronto 2013

Keynote Speaker Hillary Rodham Clinton

In 2013, the Top Employer Summit was held at The Hilton Hotel in downtown Toronto and featured former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton as its keynote speaker. Secretary Clinton gave an unforgettable address and followed on stage later that day by the widely admired Mayor Naheed Nenshi of Calgary. That evening, delegates made their way to the glittering black-tie dinner reception at the Four Seasons Hotel in Yorkville, where acclaimed Canadian soprano Suzie Leblanc delivered a spellbinding recital with her accompanist, distinguished composer Dinuk Wijeratne, who performed on a special Steinway B grand piano brought in just for the performance.

View Photos

Vancouver 2012

Keynote Speaker Chantal Kreviazuk

In 2012, the Top Employer Summit was held at The Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia, marking the first time the event was held outside Toronto. Six-time platinum-selling artist and double Juno award winner, Chantal Kreviazuk, delivered an unforgettable live performance and distinguished Canadian economist Jeff Rubin delivered a memorable address. Our gala reception was held across the street at the historic Vancouver Art Gallery, featuring the Ian Wallace exhibition.

View Photos

Toronto 2011

Keynote Speaker Romeo Dallaire

In 2011, the Top Employer Summit was held at The Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto, Ontario. Decorated Canadian military hero General Romeo Dallaire delivered an unforgettable keynote. Our gala reception was held at the spectacular Koerner Hall at The Royal Conservatory of Music and featured a special performance by celebrated Montreal opera singer Suzie Leblanc.

View Photos

Toronto 2010

Keynote Speaker Sidney Poitier

In 2010, the Top Employer Summit was held at The Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto, Ontario. Famed civil rights advocate and Academy Award winning actor, Sidney Poitier made a rare Canadian appearance to deliver the keynote address. Joining him was Britain’s remarkable Rory Stewart, who at just 37 years of age, restored the pride of culture to a generation of craftsmen in Afghanistan. Our gala reception was held in the spectacular Koerner Hall at The Royal Conservatory of Music and featured a special performance by Grammy Award winning opera sensation, Measha Brueggergosman.

View Photos

Toronto 2009

Keynote Speaker Mia Farrow

In 2009, the Top Employer Summit was held at The Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto, Ontario. Keynote speakers for this year included Mia Farrow (Actress and Human Rights Activist) and best-selling author Dr. Richard Florida (Author of The Great Reset). Our annual Top Employer Reception also took place at the Royal York that year, one of the more raucous receptions in that event’s history.

View Photos

Toronto 2008

Keynote Speaker Muhammad Yunus

In 2008, the Top Employer Summit was held at The Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto, Ontario. Keynote speakers for this year included Nobel Peace Prize winner, Muhammad Yunus, and Tony Award winning singer, songwriter, actor and social activist, Harry Belafonte.

View Photos

Toronto 2007

Keynote Speaker Al Gore

In 2007, the Top Employer Summit was held at The Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto, Ontario. Former US Vice-President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Al Gore, delivered the keynote address based on the Academy Award winning movie, “An Inconvenient Truth”. Joining him that year was former Prime Minister Joe Clark, Stéphane Dion, David Miller, John Sumser, leading academic thinkers and more than a dozen CEOs and HR executives from the winners of the Canada’s Top 100 Employers competition.

View Photos

Toronto 2006

Keynote Speaker Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

In 2006, the Top Employer Summit was held at The Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto, Ontario. Our spectacular line-up of world-class speakers included Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Stephen Lewis, Heather Reisman, Dick Pound, Mark Kelley, Andy Barrie, well-known academic thinkers and more than a dozen CEOs and senior HR executives from the winners of the Canada’s Top 100 Employers competition.

View Photos

Toronto 2005

Keynote Speaker Peter Mansbridge

In 2005, the Top Employer Summit was held at The Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto, Ontario. Speakers for this year included Peter Mansbridge, Peter C. Newman, former Ontario Premier, Bob Rae, and over a dozen CEOs and senior executives from the winners of the Canada’s Top 100 Employers competition.

View Photos