York reaffirms excellence in inclusion, maintaining Canada’s Best Diversity Employers designation for 2026
National recognition highlights the University's leadership in advancing equity, diversity and inclusion across its campuses
York University as one again been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2026 by Mediacorp Canada Inc., organizers of the annual Canada’s Top 100 Employers project. Now in its 19th year, the national designation celebrates employers across the country with exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs.
“Successful talent strategies prioritize individuals,” says Stephanie Leung, editor at Mediacorp. “Organizations that regularly engage with their employees develop a deeper understanding of what matters to them — and can use that insight to drive meaningful change that resonates across diverse communities, boosting both engagement and retention.”
York's selection reflects its sustained commitment to embedding Decolonization, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI) across all campuses. The University applies an ongoing DEDI lens to recruitment, including posting vacancies on targeted listservs, reviewing job summaries to ensure inclusive language and bona fide requirements, incorporating diversity-related questions into candidate selection and coaching interview panels and managers on unbiased hiring practices. Expanded equity reporting tools further support inclusive workforce planning.
York University's Centre for Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion also delivers customized training based on relevant rights, equity, diversity, decolonization, and inclusion (REDDI) topics tailored to community needs. Last year, over 3,500 community members participated in REDDI workshops and specialized sessions.
The recognition also highlights progress under York's framework and action plan on Black inclusion. Developed following consultation with more than 300 Black faculty, staff and students, York continues to make progress on 86 action items. Key initiatives include enhancing recruitment practices to recognize transferable skills, improving opportunities for Black applicants, implementing anti-Black racism onboarding courses, and establishing a Black staff network.
Choose York
As a leading international teaching and research university, York remains committed to fostering inclusive and equitable environments where diverse communities thrive. Grounded in fairness, respect and academic freedom, York continues to strengthen its culture of belonging and well-being, advancing social justice and driving meaningful impact in Canada and beyond.
York’s commitments to social justice are laid out in our DEDI Strategy, the Framework & Action Plan on Black Inclusion and the Indigenous Framework for York University.
