Four years ago, Adriana Mingo was looking for an opportunity to further her communications career. She researched The Canada Life Assurance Company, a well-respected employer with its head office in Winnipeg.

“I was attracted by how much Canada Life cares,” says Mingo, now senior external communications specialist. “A dedicated centre for employee mental health and well-being, and a focus on the community through charitable gifts and volunteering, shows care for the well-being of their employees and all Canadians.”

Canada Life provides a wide range of insurance and wealth management products for individuals, families and business owners from coast to coast. Founded in 1847, Canada Life has been part of the nation for 175 years. Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life amalgamated in 2020 to become The Canada Life Assurance Company. Today, Canada Life provides insurance and wealth management products and services in Canada, the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Germany, and in Ireland through Irish Life.

“Our approach to business centres on how we treat our employees, how we operate in our communities, and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion,” says Brad Fedorchuk, executive vice-president, group customer. “Building stronger communities is how we help create positive change.”

Mingo takes advantage of opportunities to volunteer, starting with the annual, paid work day employees get to assist a registered charity or community organization. Last year, she split her day to spend one half giving blood and the other half working at the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival.

In addition, employees who volunteer for at least 25 to 50 hours in a one-year period are eligible to apply for a community volunteer grant from Canada Life of $500 or $1,000 for their charity or community organization. Mingo was able to apply for and receive a grant for the local food bank where she volunteers. Canada Life also supports corporate teams for charity events and workplace fundraising drives and campaigns.

“Working at Canada Life, I’m supported in my passion of helping out in the community – and I’m not the only one,” says Mingo. “There are so many employees who engage in the company’s community efforts.”

Employee resource groups thrive at Canada Life and include such identities as Indigenous Peoples, Black and people of colour, people with different abilities, women, young professionals and LGBTQ+. These employee-led groups offer educational webinars and networking opportunities, and they organize the company’s presence at events such as local Pride parades. Last year, all employees had the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a paid day off to engage in learning or events that help advance Indigenous reconciliation.

“We want Canada Life to be a place people feel safe – a place they can voice their thoughts and be who they are,” says Fedorchuk. “It’s what we want as a society and it’s what we strive for every day at Canada Life.”

Employees also have the opportunity to develop and grow their careers. Over 700 courses are available in-house to take online, and those who want to go back to school part-time can access $2,000 annually toward their education. In addition, there are many different positions available within the company. Some 1,018 employees in Canada changed their job internally over the past year.

Mingo has enjoyed webinars, half-day courses, and informal, mentoring coffee chats. Her work team makes sure to meet together every week to discuss common goals.

“There is something here for everyone to help them grow and succeed,” says Mingo. “I’ve grown so much in only four years here!”