Amazon to close 7 warehouses in Canada and eliminate 1,700 jobs

abcnews.go.com:

Amazon says it's closing all seven of its warehouses in the Canadian province of Quebec over the next two months

Online retailer Amazon said Wednesday that it's closing all seven of its warehouses in the Canadian province of Quebec in the next two months.

The e-commerce giant said the move would provide “even more savings to our customers over the long run." However, a Canadian union that successfully unionized one warehouse accused the company of closing its sites to fend off organizing efforts in the region.

The closures will eliminate about 1,700 permanent full-time jobs in the greater Montreal area, Amazon said. The warehouses also employ 250 temporary employees.

Amazon said it would enlist local, third-party companies to deliver packages, reverting to a business model it used in Quebec before 2020.

“This decision wasn’t made lightly, and we’re offering impacted employees a package that includes up to 14 weeks’ pay after facilities close and transitional benefits, like job placement resources,” Amazon spokesperson Barbara Agrait said in a statement.

Agrait said the decision was made following a “recent review” of the company's operations in the province. The closing sites include one fulfillment center, two sorting centers, three delivery stations and a facility Amazon dubs AMXL because it aids in the shipment of large goods such as TVs and furniture.

Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne wrote on the social media platform X that he had contacted the head of Amazon's operations in Canada to share his objections.

“I expressed our dismay and frustration after learning in the news that they intend to let go of 1,700 employees and close all seven of their warehouses in