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The 50 largest research institutes in Canada

Tamtam tracks 156 research institutes headquartered in Canada. This list ranks the 50 largest by number of employees on LinkedIn, led by University of Toronto, The University of British Columbia and University of Alberta. Their median headcount is 6,886. Half of them were founded in 1957 or later. The most common headquarters are Montreal (8), Toronto (8) and Ottawa (5).

🇨🇦 Canada50 companiesUpdated Nov 12, 2026

These Canadian institutions are primarily large universities, with a strong focus on research and education across various disciplines. Notable examples include the University of Toronto, a leading Canadian university focused on research and innovation, and The University of British Columbia, a global center for research and teaching. Other significant entities are McGill University, a research-intensive university with diverse international students, and Unity Health Toronto, a health network providing care, research, and education.

A clear pattern is the concentration of these large research institutes in major Canadian cities. Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Edmonton host several of the largest organizations, indicating these urban centers serve as key hubs for higher education and medical research in Canada.

#CompanyIndustryHeadquarters EmployeesFounded
1
University of Torontodefygravitycampaign.utoronto.ca

Leading Canadian university focused on research, innovation, and global education to address pressing societal challenges and prepare students for success

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Toronto 28,832 n/a
2
The University of British Columbiaubc.ca

a global center for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities worldwide.

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Vancouver 25,036 n/a
3
University of Albertaualberta.ca

Top Canadian university offering a wide range of programs in various disciplines, dedicated to using knowledge for the benefit of society

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Edmonton 16,185 1908
4
McGill Universitymcgill.ca

Leading research-intensive university with diverse international students, multiple campuses, extensive programs, and partnerships with teaching hospitals for healthcare education.

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Montreal 15,235 1821
5
University of Calgaryucalgary.ca

A leading Canadian university in Calgary focused on becoming one of the top five research universities, emphasizing research, teaching, and community engagement

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Calgary 14,818 1966
6
McMaster Universitymcmaster.ca

Leading Canadian university known for innovation in education and research, serving 30,000 students and a global alumni network.

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Hamilton 13,160 1887
7
Université de Montréalumontreal.ca

Leading higher education institution in Quebec with extensive alumni network, affiliated schools, and recognized as a top Canadian employer.

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Montreal 12,234 1878
8
University of Ottawauottawa.ca

The company is the largest bilingual university in the world, offering education in English and French with a focus on research and global advancements

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Ottawa 12,220 n/a
9
Western Universityuwo.ca

A leading research-intensive university with a global community of students and alumni focused on making change in the world Welcome scholars worldwide

Higher Education 🇨🇦 London 12,137 1878
10
University of Waterloouwaterloo.ca

Driving economic and social prosperity through talent development, groundbreaking research, and a strong entrepreneurial culture, creating solutions for global challenges through extensive industry collaboration.

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Waterloo 11,393 1957
11
York Universityyorku.ca

Educates students, fosters career advancement, and drives positive societal change through research and community engagement.

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Toronto 11,154 1959
12
Queen's Universityqueensu.ca

A prestigious university known for its research, innovation, and commitment to addressing global challenges through scholarship and international engagement

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Kingston 9,891 1841
13
Université Lavalulaval.ca

This organization is a French-language university that trains individuals, fosters knowledge, promotes change, and contributes to societal advancement through research and development

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Quebec City 9,785 1852
14
Unity Health Torontounityhealth.to

A health network in Toronto providing primary, community, specialized, and long-term care services, as well as investing in research and education

Hospitals and Health Care 🇨🇦 Toronto 8,686 2017
15
The Hospital for Sick Childrensickkids.ca

Leading pediatric hospital integrating patient care, research, and education to advance children's health and develop innovative treatments globally.

Hospitals and Health Care 🇨🇦 Toronto 8,636 1875
16
Toronto Metropolitan Universitytorontomu.ca

Innovative urban university in Toronto, focusing on creativity, entrepreneurship, inclusivity, and global community engagement to serve societal needs

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Toronto 8,478 n/a
17
University of Manitobaumanitoba.ca

A global community dedicated to positive change, innovation, and impactful research in areas such as human rights, global health, and climate change

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Winnipeg 8,475 1877
18
Concordia Universityconcordia.ca

A top-ranked university in Montreal, continually reimagining higher education, offering experiential learning and cross-functional research to a diverse, engaged student body.

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Montreal 8,419 1974
19
Dalhousie Universitydal.ca

Leading university in Canada with outstanding academic quality and teaching, offering diverse educational and research opportunities, inspiring global contributions since 1818

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Halifax 7,970 1818
20
Simon Fraser Universitysfu.ca

A leading university in Canada delivering world-class education, fostering innovation, and connecting research to real-world solutions for global impact

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Burnaby 7,773 1965
21
University of Guelphuoguelph.ca

Dedicated to improving quality of life through innovative research and education in essential areas like water, food, health, and environment

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Guelph 7,725 1964
22
Université de Sherbrookeusherbrooke.ca

A French-speaking institution in Canada's Quebec province, Université de Sherbrooke offers recognized academic education to over 40,000 students, including international students

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Sherbrooke 7,200 1954
23
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC)lhsc.on.ca

Acute care teaching hospital offering specialized clinical services, leading in discovery and innovation, providing exceptional patient care and training healthcare professionals

Hospitals and Health Care 🇨🇦 London 7,092 n/a
24
University of Saskatchewanusask.ca

Leading research and education addressing global challenges in water, food security, health, and innovation with diverse academic programs and world-class facilities.

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Saskatoon 7,086 1907
25
Carleton Universitycarleton.ca

University located near government and high tech companies, combining research and teaching to provide superior education and solve real problems.

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Ottawa 6,886 1942

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26
Hamilton Health Scienceshamiltonhealthsciences.ca

Healthcare organization delivering specialized cardiac, stroke, trauma, cancer, palliative, and pediatric care to southwestern Ontario and beyond.

Hospitals and Health Care 🇨🇦 Hamilton 6,690 n/a
27
UQAM | Université du Québec à Montréaluqam.ca

A public French-language university known for quality programs, social research, and innovation in creative arts, offering training on campus and regional centers

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Montreal 6,602 1969
28
University of Victoriauvic.ca

Leading university on Canada's West Coast focused on innovation, engagement, and respect for knowledge to address global challenges.

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Victoria 6,493 1963
29
St. Michael's Hospitalunityhealth.to

A leading hospital providing compassionate care, medical education in 27 disciplines, and research through the Keenan Research Centre for global impact

Hospitals and Health Care 🇨🇦 Toronto 4,868 1892
30
National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canadanrc.canada.ca

Largest government research organization supporting innovation, helping SMEs scale, connecting Canadian innovators with advanced R&D capabilities, fostering partnerships.

Research Services 🇨🇦 Ottawa 4,732 1916
31
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)sait.ca

Equips students with essential skills for career success, enabling lifetime learning and enhancing global competitiveness through action-based learning and industry partnerships.

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Calgary 4,707 1916
32
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)natural-resources.canada.ca

A department of the Government of Canada focused on advancing sustainable resource management, economic growth, and environmental stewardship through innovative policies and programs

Government Administration 🇨🇦 Ottawa 4,579 n/a
33
CHUM - Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréalchumontreal.qc.ca

Provides general, specialized, and highly specialized care to adult patients, conducts research, offers teaching, and promotes health to 40% of Quebec's population.

Hospitals and Health Care 🇨🇦 Montreal 4,507 1996
34
CAMHcamh.ca

A leading teaching hospital in Canada focused on transforming lives through clinical care, research, education, and advocacy for mental health and addiction issues

Hospitals and Health Care 🇨🇦 Toronto 4,477 1998
35
Sinai Healthsinaihealth.ca

A leading academic health science centre focused on integrated care, innovative research, and educating future healthcare leaders for comprehensive patient care

Hospitals and Health Care 🇨🇦 Toronto 4,083 n/a
36
Wilfrid Laurier Universitywlu.ca

Canadian university focusing on teaching, research, and student satisfaction with programs in arts, business, science, social work, and education.

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Waterloo 4,060 n/a
37
British Columbia Institute of Technologybcit.ca

A leading post-secondary institution in British Columbia offering practical career credentials, degrees, diplomas, and certificates in various fields Engages in applied research to drive the economy

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Burnaby 3,851 1964
38
Providence Health Careprovidencehealthcare.org

Faith-based health care organization in Canada providing compassionate care across 17 sites for heart, lung, HIV/AIDS, mental health, renal, seniors, and urban populations

Hospitals and Health Care 🇨🇦 Vancouver 3,828 1997
39
University of New Brunswickunb.ca

Established in 1785, this university in Canada offers over 75 programs to 10,500+ students on two campuses and online worldwide Conducts 70% of provincial research

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Fredericton | Saint John 3,689 1785
40
CHU de Québecchudequebec.ca

Leading healthcare institution in Quebec, providing general, specialized, and super-specialized care to nearly two million people Strong focus on education, research, and technological advancements in health

Hospitals and Health Care 🇨🇦 Quebec City 3,643 2012
41
Polytechnique Montréalpolymtl.ca

Engineering university offering over 120 programs, conducting extensive research, educating thousands of engineers, and leading Quebec's engineering community.

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Montreal 2,991 1873
42
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamiltonstjoes.ca

A values-based academic health science centre affiliated with McMaster University and Mohawk College, committed to providing integrated, compassionate care and advancing research and education

Hospitals and Health Care 🇨🇦 Hamilton 2,983 1890
43
École de technologie supérieureetsmtl.ca

Trains engineers, researchers for industry, specializing in engineering education, technological transfer, and applied research with a practical, innovative approach.

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Montreal 2,874 1974
44
CHEOcheo.on.ca

A global leader in pediatric health care and research, providing excellence in complex care, education, and community partnership for children and youth

Hospitals and Health Care 🇨🇦 Ottawa 2,784 1974
45
Niagara Collegeniagaracollege.ca

Leader in applied education and training, established in 1967 in Welland and now expanding across the Niagara region for top student satisfaction

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Welland 2,686 1967
46
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivièresuqtr.ca

Specialized university offering innovative fields of study and research, such as leisure, small business management, hydrogen research, chiropractic, midwifery, criminalistic chemistry, philosophy, and arts

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Trois-Rivières 2,649 1969
47
University of Reginauregina.ca

Leading university in Saskatchewan offering experience-based learning, innovative programs, and a wide range of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees Alumni contribute locally and globally

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Regina 2,618 1974
48
CHU Sainte-Justinechusj.org

The largest mother-child hospital in Canada, CHU Sainte-Justine employs 5,000 staff and 500 healthcare professionals, prioritizing innovation and patient-centered care

Hospitals and Health Care 🇨🇦 Montreal 2,482 n/a
49
Ontario Tech Universityontariotechu.ca

Innovative university focusing on advancing knowledge, integrating social and ethical implications of technology, and collaborating on solutions with partners

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Oshawa 2,479 2003
50
RRC Polytechrrc.ca

Manitoba's largest institute of applied learning offering over 110 full-time programs in various fields to train future leaders for success

Higher Education 🇨🇦 Winnipeg 2,341 1938

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How this list is built

Every company on this list has a Tamtam company profile. The industry is the one the company gives on LinkedIn; categories such as SaaS or fintech are classified by Tamtam's AI from the company's website and LinkedIn page; and the headquarters city must match the company's own address. Companies are ranked by the number of employees on LinkedIn, and the list is refreshed every night. Classifications can be wrong, so treat the list as a starting point rather than an official ranking. Last updated Nov 12, 2026.

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