Employees at Thales Canada provide mentorship and guidance to participants of the Technovation Girls Competition.Denise Barria/Technovation Montréal
Twenty years ago, when Maryse Yelle joined the Thales Canada avionics business in Montréal, she felt welcome and experienced a sense of belonging. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) was already part of the culture, with events bringing teams together for International Women’s Day, potluck lunches, outings to a traditional Québec sugar shack, and more. On her first day, a gift was waiting on her desk to mark Administrative Professionals’ Day, though she joined the team a few days later.
This tradition continues today. Recently, Yelle — along with the local social committee — launched initiatives to promote DEI such as a breakfast focused on Hispanic heritage, a documentary for Black History Month, and a Pride Month celebration, to name a few.
“We work in a cosmopolitan city, and the people in our office are like family — interested in, and connected to, each other,” says Yelle, coordinator, Aviation Global Services.
A global leader with Canadian headquarters in Kanata, Ont., just west of Ottawa, Thales offers leading capabilities in the defence, aerospace, cyber and digital sectors — meeting the most complex needs and requirements of its customers across all operating environments.
Jessica Dempsey became chair of the DEI committee for the defence and security business of Thales Canada in 2024. With representation from sites across Canada, the committee endeavoured to find out why DEI is important to employees.
“We had whiteboards at sites and opportunities to give input online,” says Dempsey, director, project management and operational lead. “People gave us ideas as to what we should focus on.”
The slogan for the DEI initiatives became “You belong,” and employees are encouraged to show up as they are. Local events are supported, and the DEI committee developed learning moments — educational sessions on topics such as neurodiversity, ageism, menopause and andropause, and mental health awareness.
Awareness leads to action in the organization. One thing that was identified through neurodiversity awareness training is that some people work better in a quiet environment. Since Thales has open workspaces, the new Canadian headquarters opening this year will provide options to work in a quiet work area based on personal needs.
Another call to action came when the DEI committee members took training in how to uncover unconscious bias. They realized it would be beneficial for others in the organization. Since then, they have rolled out training for all resource and project managers to assist them in their hiring and management practices.
Last September, on Truth and Reconciliation Day, Thales launched Indigenous training for all employees. The company recently opened its West Coast operations centre in the Malahat Business Park in Mill Bay, B.C., in a partnership with the Malahat Nation. Thales’ leaders said it underscores the company’s dedication to working with Indigenous communities, fostering mutual growth, and emphasizing sustainable practices.
Yelle says the most rewarding aspects of DEI initiatives are the shared sense of camaraderie and active participation they inspire among the collaborators. “At Thales, colleagues are welcomed from around the globe, making us stronger together.”
Dempsey agrees and says that Thales prioritizes inclusion. As a female engineer, she was attracted to the company in part by its clarity on objectives regarding gender parity. Thales has set a global target for women to hold 22.5 per cent of its most senior leadership positions in 2026.
Dempsey has found Thales is true to its word. In just six and a half years, she has gone from project manager to director, project management and operations lead. “DEI is tied to Thales’ organizational objective on corporate and social responsibility,” says Dempsey.
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Advertising feature produced by Canada’s Top 100 Employers, a division of Mediacorp Canada Inc. The Globe and Mail’s editorial department was not involved.