A Mississauga-based company has been recognized as Canada’s most diverse in the latest rankings released this week by Forbes, a prominent U.S.-based business publication.

The Hershey Company, situated on Explorer Drive, claimed the top spot among 200 companies across Canada named in Forbes’ 2024 list of Best Employers For Diversity. Operating under the international umbrella of its parent company in Hershey, Pennsylvania, the Canadian headquarters employs 20,505 individuals, according to Forbes.

The Mississauga location of Hershey, one of six companies from the city to make Forbes’ top 100 for 2024, was not included in the previous year’s rankings. The top 10 on this year’s list includes well-known names such as Microsoft in Toronto with 221,000 employees, Adidas in Woodbridge with 59,030 employees, Google in Toronto with 190,711 employees, Apple in Toronto with 161,000 employees, Indeed in Toronto with 13,000 employees, Lululemon Athletica in Vancouver with 34,000 employees, BC Hydro in Vancouver with 7,700 employees, Nike in Toronto with 83,700 employees, and Brock University in St. Catharines with 6,000 employees.

Other notable companies from Mississauga making the top 100 include FedEx at No. 30 with 536,000 employees, Marriott Hotels Canada at No. 31 with 41,000 employees, Ericsson at No. 38 (electronics company with 99,952 employees), TJX Companies at No. 65 (retail and wholesale company with 329,000 employees), and Samsung Electronics at No. 68 with 20,000 employees. Waste Management in Brampton ranked No. 15 on the list with 44,600 employees, the sole business from Brampton to be included in the 2024 rankings.

Forbes, in collaboration with market research firm Statista, conducted a survey of approximately 40,000 Canadian workers at companies employing at least 500 individuals to compile its third annual diversity list. Notably, the government services sector was excluded from the study. Respondents were asked to evaluate companies based on industry experience or knowledge gained through family and friends employed there over the past three years.

Key metrics considered for the rankings included the presence of employee resource groups, hiring initiatives for Indigenous peoples, transparency in diversity reporting, accessibility for employees with disabilities, representation of women in board and executive roles, and practices promoting supplier diversity. The rankings aim to assist employers in adopting best diversity practices and provide insight to workers on company standings in this domain.