Amazon's Quebec Exit: 1,700 Workers Face Layoffs as E-commerce Giant Closes Operations
In a significant move that has sent shockwaves through Quebec's employment landscape, Amazon has announced the closure of its operations in the Canadian province, affecting approximately 1,700 workers across five facilities. The decision comes as part of the company's broader operational restructuring efforts in North America.
The closure impacts multiple fulfillment centers and delivery stations in the Montreal metropolitan area. Amazon has stated that affected employees will receive severance packages, including 16 weeks of base pay plus two weeks for each year of employment, along with benefits continuation and career transition support.
According to company representatives, the decision stems from a comprehensive review of Amazon's network capacity and customer demand patterns in the region. The e-commerce giant plans to redistribute operations to other Canadian facilities, primarily in Ontario, to optimize its delivery network efficiency.
Local economic experts suggest this move could have ripple effects throughout Quebec's logistics and e-commerce sectors. The province's labor unions have expressed concerns about the timing of the announcement and its impact on workers during a period of economic uncertainty.
Despite this setback, Quebec's Ministry of Employment has announced plans to assist affected workers through job placement programs and retraining initiatives. The local government is also engaging with other major employers in the region to help facilitate potential employment opportunities for displaced Amazon workers.
This development marks one of the largest single-company layoffs in Quebec's recent history and reflects the ongoing evolution of e-commerce operations in North America. While Amazon maintains its commitment to the Canadian market, this restructuring highlights the dynamic nature of the digital retail landscape and its impact on regional employment patterns.
