Canada's Top 100 Employers (2026) Magazine - Flipbook - Page 28
32
( 2026 )
SPONSOR CONTENT
Driving for positive mental health at Ford of Canada
T
his year marked the
15th annual Peter
Klosch Ball Hockey
Tournament at Ford
Motor Company of
Canada Ltd., an event that brings
employees together to raise funds
for local mental health initiatives.
The event is named for a late
colleague who “always had a
smile, always was positive,” says
Meredith Keenan, vice president,
human resources. “And nobody
knew what was going on in the
background.”
Mental health isn’t always an
easy topic to broach, especially in
a work environment. But Ford of
Canada doesn’t shy away, Keenan
says. The company works hard to
reduce the stigma around mental
health and to treat employees
with empathy when they are
facing issues and concerns. “It’s
important to ensure no one feels
like they need to face challenges
alone,” she says.
Headquartered in Oakville,
Ont., Ford of Canada has been
producing cars, trucks and
engines in Canada for more than
120 years. The organization also
includes three parts distribution
centres and three Connectivity
and Innovation centres. Today,
it employs approximately 7,000
people, with an additional 20,000
employed in approximately 430
Ford and Ford-Lincoln dealerships
across the country.
Keenan acknowledges that
the auto company is operating
in a business world full of
uncertainty, which can take a toll
on employees. “The magic word
is resilience,” she says. “We’re
committed to our employees’
overall wellness and their
professional growth. What that
brings back to us is people that
want to come to work and enjoy
coming to work.”
One way Ford of Canada focuses
on the well-being of employees is
to help them contribute to their
community, with programs such
as the Peter Klosch Ball Hockey
Tournament. From United Way
fundraising and networking
events to naming September as
Ford Global Caring Month, and
more, the company encourages
employees to get involved in
programs that have a positive
impact on their communities. It
backs that up with 16 paid hours to
do volunteer work.
How Ford of Canada
supports people is
extremely important
— it’s the people, the
business, the benefits,
and the opportunities
that are some of the
reasons I’ve been with
Ford for 25 years.
— Susan Gamble
Service Transformation
Manager
Employees at Ford Motor Company of Canada volunteer to pack kits for the Sashbear Foundation in Toronto.
Susan Gamble, a service
transformation manager,
appreciates the caring culture.
“How Ford of Canada supports
people is extremely important —
it’s the people, the business, the
benefits, and the opportunities
that are some of the reasons I’ve
been with Ford for 25 years.”
Gamble champions a program
that supports a local grassroots
charitable organization. Her
passion for the organization is
palpable. “Here’s where I take
my glasses off and start using
my hands,” she, says with a grin.
“The Sashbear Foundation is
