St. Catharines named 2026 Hamilton-Niagara Top Employer

For the second year in a row, the City of St. Catharines is being recognized as a Hamilton-Niagara Top Employer by Mediacorp Canada Inc., organizers of the annual Canada's Top 100 Employers project, for its innovative human resource programs.

“At the City of St. Catharines, we strive to lead by example in creating a workplace where balance, trust, and flexibility are embedded in everything we do,” said David Oakes, City CAO. “Being named a Top Employer for the second year in a row reflects our dedication to making the City of St. Catharines a place that truly works for everyone.”

The annual editorial competition is open to employers, public or private sector, with head offices or principal places of business in the Hamilton-Niagara area. This competition reviews employers on eight criteria, including, among others, Work Atmosphere and Social; Health, Employee Communications; Training and Skills Development; and Community Involvement. Employers are compared to other organizations in their field to determine which offers the most progressive and forward-thinking programs. 

St. Catharines’ inclusion in 2026 acknowledges the City’s continued investment in connecting people across departments, improving communication and encouraging collaboration. Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers 2026 also recognizes the City’s professional development programs, such as tuition reimbursement and access to specialized training, and wellness programs, hybrid schedules and flexible hours, health spending accounts and a $3,000 mental health support.

“We are grateful to the outstanding people who have chosen to be a part of our organization and build their careers with us,” says Erin O’Hoski, Deputy CAO. “Whether on the front lines or behind the scenes, their contributions matter and we are proud of the meaningful work they do that makes a difference in people’s lives.”