Top Kootenay Employers
KootenayBiz presents its annual list of Top Kootenay employers, based on employment numbers in 2020.
2020. It’s been a year like no other. The economic fallout from the COVID-19 global pandemic will likely be around for several years to come. Some business sectors sadly may not recover, while others have found new opportunities in the midst of challenging circumstances.
As we do every year, the team at KootenayBiz has put together a list of the Top 100 Kootenay Employers, based on the number of staff employed at the business. Surprisingly, the total number of employees increased in 2020 by over 1,100. Out of 100 Kootenay-based companies, 17 saw increased employee numbers, while the majority maintained their employee base over the previous year. Many of those increases were in the education, service and manufacturing sectors—perhaps a reflection on the need for additional custodial staff, soaring demand for home improvement products and the necessary motivation to embrace technology and e-commerce. Only five companies saw a decline in the number of employees in 2020, a trend that we find encouraging. Overall, the total number of employees for the top 100 Kootenay companies in 2020 is 35,796.
Leading into 2021, Kootenay regional businesses and industrial sectors will need to continue to adapt and evolve to changing circumstances. But by working together and supporting our valued consumer and industrial base, we can weather the storm and come out stronger for our communities.
Take a look at some of these leading employers from the East and West Kootenay regions, and visit their career information pages if you’re curious about job opportunities with these reputable employers.
1. Interior Health Authority
Location: East & West Kootenay
Employees: 5,356
Job opportunities at Interior Health Authority
2. Teck Coal Ltd.
Location: East Kootenay
Employees: 4,000
Job opportunities at Tech Coal Ltd
3. BC Government & Service Employees Union (Members)
Location: East & West Kootenay
Employees: 2,200
Job opportunities at BCGEU
4. FortisBC
Location: Throughout B.C.
Employees: 2,200
Job opportunities at FortisBC
5. Teck - Trail
Location: Trail
Employees: 1,463
Job opportunities at Tech
6. School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay)
Location: Cranbrook, Elk Valley & South Country
Employees: 1362
Job opportunities at School District No. 5
7. Golden Life
Location: East & West Kootenay
Employees: 1,245
Job opportunities at Golden Life
8. Canfor
Location: East Kootenay
Employees: 971
Job opportunities at Canfor
9. School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake)
Location: Nelson
Employees: 819
Job opportunities at School District No. 8
10. School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia)
Location: Castlegar/Fruitvalel/Robson/Rossland/Trail/Warfield
Employees: 713
Job opportunities at School District No. 20
11. Selkirk College
Location: Castlegar/Grand Forks/Kaslo/Nakusp/Nelson/Trail
Employees: 690
Job opportunities at Selkirk College
12. Fernie Alpine Resort/Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
Location: Fernie
Employees: 625
Job opportunities at Fernie Alpine Resort
13. School District No. 6 (Rocky Mountain)
Location: Golden/Invermere/Kimberley
Employees: 612
Job opportunities at School District No. 6
14. Canadian Mountain Holidays LP
Location: East & Central B.C.
Employees: 500
Job opportunities at Canadian Mountain Holidays LP
15. Panorama Mountain Village
Location: Panorama
Employees: 500
Job opportunities at Panorama Mountain Village
16. Revelstoke Mountain Resort
Location: Revelstoke
Employees: 500
Job opportunities at Revelstoke Mountain Resort
17. Mercer Celgar
Location: Castlegar
Employees: 441
Job opportunities at Mercer Celgar
18. Kimberley Alpine Resort/Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
Location: Kimberley
Employees: 400
Job opportunities at Kimberley Alpine Resort
19. Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd.
Location: Golden & Malakwa
Employees: 370
Job opportunities at Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd.
20. Regional District of Central Kootenay
Location: Creston/Kootenay Lake/Nelson
Employees: 350
Job opportunities at the Regional District of Central Kootenay
21. Interfor Corporation
Location: Castlegar & Grand Forks
Employees: 309
Job opportunities at Interfor Corporation
22. Tamarack Centre
Location: Cranbrook
Employees: 300 - 350
Job opportunities at Tamarack Centre
23. CanWel Building Materials Group Ltd. (Formerly Jemi-Fibre)
Location: East Kootenay
Employees: 300
Job opportunities at CanWel Building Materials Group Ltd.
24. Downie Timber Ltd.
Location: Revelstoke
Employees: 300
Job opportunities at Downie Timber Ltd.
25. Real Canadian Superstore
Location: Cranbrook
Employees: 300
Job opportunities at Real Canadian Superstore
26. Skookumchuck Pulp Inc., A Paper Excellence Company
Location: Skookumchuck
Employees: 300
Job opportunities at Skookumchuck Pulp Inc.
27. Whitewater Ski Resort
Location: Nelson
Employees: 300
Job opportunities at Whitewater Ski Resort
28. College of the Rockies
Location: East Kootenay
Employees: 291
Job opportunities at College of the Rockies
29. BC Hydro
Location: East & West Kootenay
Employees: 271
Job opportunities at BC Hydro
30. School District No. 51 (Boundary)
Location: Beaverdell/ Big White Ski Resort/ Christina Lake/ Grand Forks/ Greenwood/ Midway/Rock Creek
Employees: 265
Job opportunities at School District No. 51
31. St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino
Location: Cranbrook
Employees: 260
Job opportunities at St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino
32. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort/Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
Location: Golden
Employees: 250
Job opportunities at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
33. Red Mountain Resort
Location: Rossland
Employees: 250
Job opportunities at Red Mountain Resort
34. True Key Hotels & Resorts Ltd.
Location: Radium Hot Springs
Employees: 230-250 (seasonal)
Job opportunities at True Key Hotels & Resorts Ltd.
35. Marbor Holdings (Hume Hotel & Spa and Best Western Plus Baker Street Inn)
Location: Nelson
Employees: 240
Job opportunities at Marbor Holdings
36. Roxul Inc.
Location: Grand Forks
Employees: 220
Job opportunities at Roxul Inc.
37. Kootenay Savings Credit Union
Location: East & West Kootenay
Employees: 218
Job opportunities at Kootenay Savings Credit Union
38. City of Cranbrook
Location: Cranbrook
Employees: 216
Job opportunities at City of Cranbrook
39. Fairmont Hot Springs
Location: Fairmont Hot Springs
Employees: 200+ (peak season)
Job opportunities at Fairmont Hot Springs
40. City of Nelson
Location: Nelson
Employees: 194
Job opportunities at City of Nelson
41. Vic Van Isle Group
Location: Revelstoke
Employees: 183
Job opportunities at Vic Van Isle Group
42. Ferraro Foods
Location: Rossland & Trail
Employees: 175
Job opportunities at Ferraro Foods
43. Kalesnikoff Lumber Co. Ltd./Kootenay Innovative Wood Ltd.
Location: Castlegar
Employees: 175
Job opportunities at Kalesnikoff Lumber Co. Ltd.
44. Regional District of Kootenay Boundary
Location: Grand Forks & Trail
Employees: 168
Job opportunities with the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary
45. Kootenay Country Store Co-op
Location: Nelson
Employees: 162
Job opportunities at Kootenay Country Store Co-op
46. Sutco Contracting Ltd.
Location: Creston/Salmo/Chilliwack/Kelowna
Employees: 160
Job opportunities at Sutco Contracting Ltd.
47. Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations
Location: Kootenay Boundary Region
Employees: 157
Job opportunities at the Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations
48. Prestige Hotels & Resorts
Location: East & West Kootenay
Employees: 154
Job opportunities at Prestige Hotels & Resorts
49. Save-On-Foods
Location: Nelson
Employees: 150
Job opportunities at Save-On-Foods
50. Columbia Brewery (Labatt)
Location: Creston
Employees: 143
Job opportunities at Columbia Brewery
51. Porcupine Wood Products Ltd.
Location: Salmo
Employees: 133
Job opportunities at Porcupine Wood Products Ltd.
52. Walmart
Location: Nelson
Employees: 125
Job opportunities at Walmart
53. City of Trail
Location: Trail
Employees: 124
Job opportunities at City of Trail
54. Kicking Horse Coffee
Location: Invermere
Employees: 118
Job opportunities at Kicking Horse Coffee
55. Canada Safeway
Location: Cranbrook
Employees: 118
Job opportunities at Canada Safeway
56. Canada Safeway
Location: Nelson
Employees: 115
Job opportunities at Canada Safeway
57. Canada Safeway
Location: Castlegar
Employees: 103
Job opportunities at Canada Safeway
58. Mount Revelstoke & Glacier National Parks
Location: Revelstoke
Employees: 103
Job opportunities at Mount Revelstoke & Glacier National Parks
59. City of Revelstoke
Location: Revelstoke
Employees: 100
Job opportunities at City of Revelstoke
60. Mainroad East Kootenay Contracting
Location: East Kootenay
Employees: 100
Job opportunities at Mainroad East Kootenay Contracting
61. Western Financial Group
Location: East & West Kootenay (Elkford, Sparwood, Fernie, Golden, Kimberley, Cranbrook (Baker Street & Tamarack Mall), Creston, Salmo, Fruitvale, Kaslo)
Employees: 100
Job opportunities at Western Financial Group
62. Selkirk Paving
Location: Crescent Valley
Employees: 96
Job opportunities at Selkirk Paving
63. Island Lake Lodge
Location: Fernie
Employees: 95 (seasonal)
Job opportunities at Island Lake Lodge
64. Glen Transport (A Division of DCT Chambers Trucking Ltd.)
Location: Skookumchuck
Employees: 90
Job opportunities at Glen Transport
65. J.H. Huscroft Ltd.
Location: Creston
Employees: 85
Job opportunities at J.H. Huscroft Ltd.
66. RHC Insurance Brokers Ltd.
Location: East & West Kootenay
Employees: 85
Job opportunities at RHC Insurance Brokers Ltd.
67. Galena Contractors
Location: Nakusp
Employees: 84
Job opportunities at Galena Contractors
68. Northstar GM
Location: Cranbrook & Creston
Employees: 81
Job opportunities at Northstar GM
69. Fab-Rite Services Ltd.
Location: Cranbrook/Sparwood
Employees: 80
Job opportunities at Fab-Rite Services Ltd.
70. Yellowhead Road & Bridge (Kootenay) Ltd.
Location: West Kootenay
Employees: 80
Job opportunities at Yellowhead Road & Bridge
71. Royal LePage East Kootenay Realty
Location: East Kootenay
Employees: 78
Job opportunities at Royal LePage East Kootenay Realty
72. Maglio Building Centre/Maglio Building Centre (Trail) Ltd.
Location: Nelson & Trail
Employees: 75
Job opportunities at Maglio Building Centre
73. Transcendent Mining and Mobilization Inc.
Location: Elkford
Employees: 73
Job opportunities at Transcendent Mining and Mobilization Inc.
74. School District No. 10 (Arrow Lakes)
Location: Nakusp, New Denver, Burton, and Edgewood
Employees: 72
Job opportunities at School District 10 (Arrow Lakes)
75. Save-On-Foods
Location: Fernie
Employees: 65-70
Job opportunities at Save-On-Foods
76. Regional District of East Kootenay
Location: Offices in Cranbrook & Columbia Valley
Employees: 64
Job opportunities at the Regional District of East Kootenay
77. Save-On-Foods
Location: Creston
Employees: 64
Job opportunities at Save-On-Foods
78. Atco Wood Products Ltd.
Location: Fruitvale
Employees: 63
Job opportunities at Atco Wood Products Ltd.
79. Save-On-Foods
Location: Cranbrook
Employees: 62
Job opportunities at Save-On-Foods
80. New Dawn Group
Location: East Kootenay
Employees: 61
Job opportunities at New Dawn Group
81. La Baguette Catering
Location: Revelstoke
Employees: 60
Job opportunities at La Baguette Catering
82. East Kootenay Community Credit Union
Location: East Kootenay
Employees: 60
Job opportunities at the East Kootenay Community Credit Union
83. Columbia Basin Trust
Location: East & West Kootenay
Employees: 58
Job opportunities at Columbia Basin Trust
84. Boundary Electric (1985) Ltd.
Location: Grand Forks
Employees: 50-55
Job opportunities at Boundary Electric (1985) Ltd.
85. Selkirk Signs
Location: Cranbrook/Calgary/Edmonton
Employees: 55
Job opportunities at Selkirk Signs
86. Canada Safeway
Location: Trail
Employees: 55
Job opportunities at Canada Safeway
87. Heritage Inn Hotel and Convention Centre
Location: Cranbrook
Employees: 55
Job opportunities at Heritage Inn Hotel and Convention Centre
88. The Heid Out & Fisher Peak Brewing Company
Location: Cranbrook
Employees: 55
Job opportunities at The Heid Out & Fisher Peak Brewing Company
89. City of Castlegar
Location: Castlegar
Employees: 53
Job opportunities at the City of Castlegar
90. Selkirk Security Services Ltd.
Location: East & West Kootenay
Employees: 53
Job opportunities at Selkirk Security Services Ltd.
91. Unifab Industries Ltd.
Location: Grand Forks
Employees: 53
Job opportunities at Unifab Industries Ltd.
92. Golden IGA
Location: Golden
Employees: 50 - 60
Job opportunities at Golden IGA
93. Wood Canada Limited
Location: Trail
Employees: 50
Job opportunities at Wood Canada Limited
94. Canadian Tire
Location: Trail
Employees: 50
Job opportunities at Canadian Tire
95. Grand Forks Credit Union
Location: Grand Forks
Employees: 50
Job opportunities at Grand Forks Credit Union
96. Overwaitea Foods
Location: Golden
Employees: 50
Job opportunities at Overwaitea Foods
97. Revelstoke Credit Union
Location: Revelstoke
Employees: 50
Job opportunities at the Revelstoke Credit Union
98. Trainor Mechanical Contractors Ltd.
Location: Nelson
Employees: 50
Job opportunities at Trainor Mechanical Contractors Ltd.
99. Fernie Lodging Co.
Location: Fernie
Employees: 48
Job opportunities at Fernie Lodging Co.
100. Finning Canada
Location: Cranbrook
Employees: 48
Job opportunities at Finning Canada
Think your business should be on our list? Email Kootenaybiz and let us know how many employees your business has.
