Amazon to close all 7 Quebec warehouses, say it’s not union based

globalnews.ca:

Amazon Canada will close all seven of its facilities in Quebec over the next couple of months, the company announced Wednesday.

Some 1,950 workers — 1,700 permanent and 250 temporary — will be laid off.

Amazon spokesperson Barbara Agrait dismissed concerns that the closures are linked to the recent unionization push in the province. She said in email to Global that it was a way to provide “even more savings to our customers over the long run.”

One of the company’s warehouses in Laval, Que., managed to unionize back in May 2024 after a hard fight, becoming the e-commerce giant’s first Canadian warehouse to do so. This effected around 240 workers.

When asked by reporters about the closures while at his caucus meeting on Wednesday, Quebec Premier François Legault skidded around the topic, replying “The Habs won last night, and I did not drink any orange juice this morning,” referencing his plea to Quebecers to buy local and cut out U.S. products in light of the looming tarrifs.

Labour Minister Jean Boulet told Global his ministry hasn’t yet received the notice of collective dismissal and plans on making sure the company is respecting all labour laws in the province, but has no capacity to comment any further due to a lack of relevant information.

He said his thoughts are with all those losing their jobs and their families.

When asked by reporters if he buys Amazon’s explanation for the move and its denial that the push to unionize had anything to do with it, he said “for now, yes, but you know the history there.”

Later in the day Legault said his government plans on offering the laid off workers all the necessary support to reintegrate the workforce.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said “What is happening in Quebec is very clearly