Winners of Canadian HR Awards 2022 revealed

Hcmag.com
Sept. 19, 2022

Hundreds of HR professionals gather in Toronto to celebrate successful year and recognize best of the best

Winners of Canadian HR Awards 2022 revealed

After much anticipation, the 2022 winners of the annual Canadian HR Awards have been revealed.

For nine years now, our awards have honoured the very best of the best in HR, recognizing those who displayed outstanding practices and leadership within their field.

This year is no different. Professionals from the HR industry convened at the Liberty Grand in Toronto to not only celebrate a successful year, but to give a big hand to those who won their respective categories.

As chief people and safety officer at Canada Post, Susan Margles says she’s so proud of her HR team of 800 in winning the award for Canadian HR Team of the Year (500 employees or more).

“This team supports a team of 70,000 employees that, over the past year and two years, went through so much with COVID, and just continuing to deliver to Canadians every single day has been a huge challenge for us,” she says. “Recruiting, retaining people, keeping people safe has been a top priority.”

Winner of the Canadian HR Team of the Year (fewer than 500 employees), Igloo Software has grown so much over the years, says Kristen Ruttgaizer, chief people officer.

“My team is just absolutely amazing. We've done so many programs dedicated to the company, to the employees,” she says, and looking ahead, they hope to continue to grow more programs, including one focused on diversity, equity and inclusion, along with keeping employees engaged.

Among those who walked away with a trophy was Sanita Alias, vice president of people, culture and brand at the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), who received The Leadership Agency Award for HR Leader of the Year.

"The HR Leader of Year Award is not about the person's job title, seniority level, or years of experience. It's more than the quantifiable measurements of leadership," said the Leadership Agency, sponsor of the award.

"A great HR leader is someone who can demonstrate and prove that they continuously put people first and instil values, mission, and opportunity for growth in their people."

Here’s the full list of winners:

Best Employer Branding

Winner: Sephora Canada

Best HR Communication Strategy

Winner: Top Hat

Best Labour & Employment Boutique Law Firm

Winner: MacDonald & Associates

Best Remote Work Strategy

Winner: CIBC Mellon

Best Talent Management Strategy

Winner: Tata Consultancy Services Inc

Canadian HR Team of the Year (500 Employees or More)           

Winner: Canada Post

Canadian HR Team of the Year (Fewer Than 500 Employees)

Winner: Igloo Software

Canadian HR Team of the Year (Finance/Insurance)

Winner: Prospera Credit Union

Canadian HR Team of the Year (Retail/Hospitality)

Winner: Rexall Pharmacy Group ULC

Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion         

Winner: City of Vaughan

Most Effective Recruitment Strategy

Winner: IPEX

Most Innovative Use of HR Technology

Winner: Accenture

The ADP Canada Award for Rising Star of the Year

Winner: Jack McCormick - Microsoft Canada

The CPHR Canada Award for HR Champion (CEO)

Winner: Linda Seymour - HSBC

The HRD Readers' Choice Award for Best Service Provider

Winner: Industrial Relations Centre (IRC), Queen's University

The HRPA Award for Woman of Distinction       

Winner: Brigid Pelino - Definity Financial

The Lifeworks Award for Excellence in Financial, Physical & Mental Wellness

Winner: AstraZeneca Canada

The O.C. Tanner Award for Lifetime Achievement in the HR Industry

Winner: Jim Reid - James Reid Board and Executive Advisory Services

The Payworks Award for Best Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy

Winner: Air Canada

The Queen's University IRC Award for Best Learning & Development Strategy

Winner: TransAlta

The University of Waterloo Award for Next Generation Employment Innovation

Winner: Centurion Asset Management

The Venngo Award for Best Workplace Culture

Winner: AstraZeneca Canada

The Workhuman Award for Best Reward & Recognition Strategy

Winner: CAA Club Group