Four major Canadian financial institutions have been recognized as some of the best employers for new Canadians by Mediacorp Canada Inc., a publisher of job directories and employment periodicals.

BMO Financial Group, CIBC, Manulife Financial Corp. and TD Bank Financial Group were among 25 companies that won the third annual competition by Mediacorp. The competition recognizes the country’s best employers for recent immigrants. To qualify, companies must offer programs to assist new Canadians in making the transition to a new workplace and a new life in Canada.

BMO Financial Group was recognized for several efforts, including hosting recruitment events for new Canadians, encouraging new Canadian employees with international banking credentials to obtain Canadian registrations, licenses and credit training through BMO’s Institute for Learning training centre, and helping to develop the curriculum for a gateway program that helps new Canadians improve their business communication skills.

Focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion is a business imperative for BMO, according to Rose Patten, SEVP, head of human resources and senior leadership advisor at BMO Financial Group.

“Our diverse workforce mirrors the communities in which we do business and helps us understand our customers’ needs,” said Rose Patten, SEVP, head of human resources and senior leadership advisor at BMO Financial Group. “We work hard to ensure an easier transition for new Canadians, and this recognition is a wonderful validation of our efforts in creating an inclusive workplace for all of our employees.”

CIBC has also engaged in a number of different efforts for new Canadians. The bank created a “Newcomers to Canada” web portal on its careers website with advice for new Canadian jobseekers, trains recruiters on how to hire internationally-trained professionals, and has integrated an online database of new Canadian resumes into their recruitment management system.

In addition, the bank recently launched the “CIBC Connection to Employment” program, in conjunction with the YMCA, to provide new Canadians seeking jobs in the Canadian financial services sector with a free five-week pre-employment training program.

“At CIBC, our priority is to create a positive experience and a supportive work environment where employees of all backgrounds can excel and realize their full potential,” said Jacqueline Moss, executive vice-president of human resources at CIBC. “We continue to identify new opportunities to further strengthen our commitment to building a workforce that reflects the clients and communities we serve.”

Manulife Financial Corp. was recognized for programs including a paid internship program for new Canadians and a mentoring program offering occupation-specific job search advice to new Canadians.

Initiatives at TD Bank Financial Group include a mentorship program for new Canadians in Calgary, paid internships to internationally-trained professionals with little or no Canadian work experience, and participation in a professional communications employment program for new Canadians.

Other winners in the 2009 competition include KPMG LLP, Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Business Development Bank of Canada, and Maple Trade Finance Inc.