Canada’s Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations: Methodology

The Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada were selected on the basis of their performance across a broad range of environmental, social and governance (ESG) indicators tracked by Sustainalytics. The companies selected rank at the top of their respective peer groups in Sustainalytics’ Global Platform. We have identified the top five companies within 10 major industry groupings. These companies have demonstrated strong performance in areas such as environmental initiatives, impact on local communities, treatment of employees and supply chain management. Some are notable for their development of products or services that contribute directly to sustainability.

Each of the companies featured is either Canadian-listed or a wholly owned subsidiary of a foreign-listed company with significant operations or brand presence in Canada. Each of the companies has a significant market capitalization or brand presence in Canada and is featured on at least one of the following lists: the ROB Top 1,000, the ROB Top 350 or Interbrand’s Best Canadian or Best Global Brands lists. Given that Canadian subsidiaries of foreign companies are inextricably linked to their parent companies, the evaluation is based on the performance of the foreign corporate entities.

Sustainalytics’ research process includes a thorough examination of company documents, media sources, online databases, government sources and NGO research, as well as direct communication  with key stakeholders. Analysts use a Best-of-Sector™ methodology to compare companies within a given peer group to industry best practices.

Sustainalytics’ research is used by some of the world’s largest institutional and individual investors who consider environmental, social and governance performance, in addition to financial performance, in the management of their investments.

By Sustainalytics analysts Annie White, Dayna Linley, Gurneesh Bhandal, Heather Lang, Irene Sosa, Iulia Hirici, Jennifer Penikett, Kirsten Boer, Larysa Metanchuk, Luiza Mos, Maggie Kenney, Matthew Barg, Melissa Chase, Nonvignon Kpadonou, Paula Glick, Reginald-Michel Koizumi, Rohan Padhye, Sheila Oviedo, Teodora Blidaru, and Zachary Paris.