Eighteen Canadian agencies have cracked North America’s top 100 in the annual Effie Index, with new entrant Rethink Montreal claiming the country’s top spot at No. 3.

Rethink Toronto landed in the two spot for Canada at 14, while Cossette Toronto and first-timer LG2 followed up in third as part of a five-way tie for 17th. A number of Quebec-based agencies made their mark as first-time entrants, including Montreal-based agencies Omnicom Media Group (23) and Adviso, Romeo and Studio Octave, which joined Canadian shops OMD and Zulu Alpha Kilo in a logjam at No. 79.

Lifelong Crush achieved the highest leap in the rankings, jumping up 24 spots year over year in a tie for No. 37. Other Canadian agencies of note were Courage (33), Wavemaker (37), McCann (59) and No Fixed Address (69).

The Effie Index is based on performance from last year’s Effie Awards program. Compiled by the non-profit Effie Worldwide, the points-based index is assembled by finalist and winning entries from more than 50 regional, national and global Effie Awards competitions.