Maple Ridge, B.C., February 11, 2025 – The City of Maple Ridge has once again been named one of British Columbia’s top employers, reinforcing its commitment to fostering a progressive, inclusive, and empowering workplace environment.
The prestigious BC’s Top Employers is a respected annual competition that recognizes employers who excel in key areas such as workplace environment, benefits, communications, performance management, skills development, and community engagement. Building on its 2024 achievement, Maple Ridge’s dynamic, supportive, and people-focused culture has garnered recognition for a second consecutive year.
“The renewal of our BC’s Top Employers status is a testament to the ‘One City’ culture we’ve built together—a workplace where collaboration thrives, innovation is encouraged, and employees are empowered to take initiative,” said Scott Hartman, Chief Administrative Officer. “This recognition belongs to our talented and dedicated staff, whose passion for serving our community and shaping a bright future for Maple Ridge drives our collective success.”
A Culture of Connection and Empowerment
In 2021, the City’s Human Resources team embarked on a cultural transformation to create a sustainable, top-tier employee experience that attracts talent and drives community impact. Prioritizing a people-first approach, new programming was introduced, and staff were encouraged to collaborate and innovate.
Since then, Maple Ridge has strengthened its employee engagement, empowerment, and teamwork. Feedback from staff surveys helps shape the strategy moving forward, while cross-functional committees and union support ensure continuous improvement based on employee insights.
“This recognition highlights what we’ve always known – that the City of Maple Ridge is home to talented and dedicated employees, says Neerje Harvey, President of Local 622 of CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees). “It’s a great honour for the City, and we look forward to strengthening the partnership between workers and management to make this workplace even better.”
The City is committed to letting its people lead the way. In the past year, many significant initiatives were championed by individual employees with a vision who were given the empowerment and space to collaborate.
“This recognition reflects what we can accomplish when labour and management work together to create a fair, supportive, and thriving workplace,” says Chris McKee, President of Maple Ridge Firefighters Local 4449 of IAFF (International Association of Firefighters). “We are proud of the role our members have played in achieving this milestone and look forward to continued collaboration in building an even stronger future for all employees.”
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is a central part of the City’s people strategy and a key pillar of its learning and development strategic framework. Maple Ridge is also continuing to build a culture of recognition by celebrating the achievements and talents of its staff. A key initiative includes an ongoing series of ‘behind the scenes’ staff videos to educate the public and other departments about the incredible expertise and effort that goes into serving the community.
“We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and hard work of all our employees,” said Michelle Lewis, Executive Director of Human Resources. “Every department plays a vital role in keeping our city running. They are the backbone of our organization. Their commitment to serving our community, especially during challenging times, truly reflects the spirit of Maple Ridge. Every day, they go above and beyond, and we deeply appreciate their unwavering dedication.”
Build a Bright Future with Us
As one of Metro Vancouver’s fastest-growing cities with over 106,000 residents, Maple Ridge offers exciting opportunities for people looking to make a difference. The City provides competitive benefits, a formal telework policy, a health and safety culture, and a dynamic environment for learning and development.
“We are always looking for passionate individuals to join our team,” added Lewis. “Whether you’re just starting or seeking your next challenge, Maple Ridge is a place to take your career journey to the next level.”
For more information about career opportunities with the City, visit MapleRidge.ca/Careers
About the BC’s Top Employers
Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, the annual BC’s Top Employers competition is organized by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers to recognize progressive and forward-thinking employers that provide exceptional workplaces. Employers are assessed using eight criteria: physical workplace; work atmosphere and social; health, financial and family benefits; vacation and time off; employee communications; performance management; training and skills development; and community involvement.
Read more about Maple Ridge’s BC’s Top Employers designation in the Vancouver Sun or at the Top Employers website: BC's Top Employers (2025) (canadastop100.com)
For further information, contact Michelle Lewis, Executive Director, Human Resources, at 604 467 7345 or mlewis@mapleridge.ca
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Media contact:
Pardeep Purewal, Senior Manager Corporate Communications and Public Engagement
T 604 466 4319 C 778 955 4249 E Media@MapleRidge.ca