About IBM

IBM Canada Ltd. is one of Canada's leading providers of advanced information technology, products, services and business consulting expertise. We are dedicated to helping our clients innovate and succeed through the end-to-end transformation of their business models and the application of innovative technology and business solutions.

IBM has a long history in this country, having opened our first office here in 1917. Today, IBM Canada is headquartered in Markham, Ontario, and has nationwide responsibilities for sales, marketing and service. Our manufacturing and development operations include: a semiconductor packaging plant in Bromont, Quebec, and software development laboratories in Markham, London and Ottawa, Ontario; Montreal, Quebec; Edmonton, Alberta; and Victoria, British Columbia.

We are a key contributor to the Canadian economy through significant R&D investment, job creation and the use of Canadian suppliers. IBM Canada is one of the country’s largest R&D investors, contributing over $397 million (CDN) in 2008. Our export revenue for the same year was $2 billion (CDN).

At year-end 2008, IBM Canada and its wholly-owned subsidiaries employed over 19,600 full-time and part-time people across the country. In addition, IBM provided temporary employment for almost 3,400 people, including 700 students, and we hired 1,050 full-time employees.

IBM Canada's corporate donation strategy combines our leading-edge technology and people in effective partnerships to bring solutions to the systemic problems that impact society, business and quality of life. As one of Canada's leading corporate citizens, IBM Canada provides support for initiatives in three areas: education, youth and workforce development. In 2008, IBM, our employees and retirees contributed cash, technology and expertise valued at over $6.6 million (CDN) to registered charities across Canada.

IBM's commitment to the community includes supporting our employees in their volunteer efforts at schools and not-for-profit organizations. In 2008, IBMers volunteered over 86,000 hours of their personal time through IBM's On Demand Community. This unique initiative is designed to engage thousands of employees on a worldwide basis and give them a rich portfolio of proven technology solutions, online training and support materials. IBM employees are encouraged to volunteer at schools and not-for-profit organizations — with the resources of the company behind them. In 2008 IBM launched the IBM Corporate Service Corps initiative — a program that sends IBMers to developing countries to work on short-term community projects. Seven Canadians participated in the program in 2008 and another twenty are slated to take part in this unique leadership development opportunity in 2009.

IBM took the top spot in Corporate Knights’ Magazine’s 2008 ranking of Canada’s “Best 50 Corporate Citizens”. The achievement recognizes the company’s multifaceted commitment to corporate citizenship, combined with our environmental record, innovation, diversity, and active technology transfer to the developing world.

Our environmental efforts were also rewarded last year: our Markham software lab received the BOMA Go Green Plus certification for environmental performance. The lab was also re-certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council for the preservation of its surrounding land. IBM’s microelectronics plant in Bromont, Quebec was awarded Recyc-Quebec Certificate (level 3) for its superior recycling practices.

IBM Canada has always stood for progress. Today, Canadians find themselves in a world that is not only smaller and flatter; it’s smarter. The systems, infrastructures and processes that underpin how business and society function are becoming infused with a new level of intelligence, and that is opening up new possibilities for progress. Leaders of businesses, governments and institutions have a unique opportunity to leverage this insight to positively transform the way the world works – and IBM Canada remains committed to helping deliver on that vision.