E-commerce giant Amazon has decided to shut down its operations in Quebec, resulting in the loss of approximately 1,700 full-time jobs. The company confirmed on Wednesday that operations at seven locations in Quebec will gradually cease over the next two months, Reuters reports.
Amazon stated it will revert to a third-party delivery model in Quebec, relying on local small businesses, similar to its pre-2020 operations.
Barbara Agrait, an Amazon spokesperson, explained, “Following a review of our operations in Quebec, we found that returning to a third-party delivery model will allow us to provide more affordable services to our customers.”
One of the affected facilities, a warehouse north of Montreal with 300 employees, was organized by the Canadian labor union Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN). Workers there had raised concerns over low wages and inadequate health and safety measures.
Federal Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne expressed dissatisfaction with Amazon’s decision, posting on X (formerly Twitter): “This is not how business is done in Canada.”
CSN President Caroline Senneville criticized the move, stating, “Amazon’s decision is directly tied to its anti-union stance.” She added that the action contradicts Quebec’s labor code, vowing strong countermeasures.
Additionally, around 250 seasonal workers will also be affected by the closure. However, Amazon has pledged to provide impacted employees with up to 14 weeks of salary and support for transition services.
