What Amazon's Quebec exit means for shoppers, workers, landlords and government
Amazon.com Inc. surprised its Quebec workers on Wednesday by announcing it will shutter all seven of its facilities in the province by March, laying off about 1,950 full-time and temporary employees as it switches to third-party delivery services. The move has sparked outrage from the union representing some of the Quebec workers, which alleges the move is tied to the unionization efforts. Here, the Financial Post’s Jane Switzer and Yvonne Lau explain what the closure means for Amazon customers in Quebec, the company’s landlords across Canada and the affected employees.
Yes. Although Amazon is shutting down operations of its fulfillment centres, sorting centres and delivery stations in Quebec, customers in the province will still be able to make purchases. An Amazon spokesperson confirmed that Quebecers will still have the same product selection and delivery speeds. Orders will be dispatched from other Amazon fulfillment centres throughout Canada and delivered by third-party providers in Quebec.
Amazon leased its sorting, fulfilment and delivery centres in Quebec from an array of property development management and construction firms.
“The facilities in Quebec are leased and will remain in use over the coming months as we wind down operations,” Barbara Agrait, an Amazon spokesperson told the Financial Post. “As we complete (the wind-down) process, our team will work with the relevant landlords — as they do any time we exit a leased facility — to determine what’s next for them.”
If Amazon backs out of its Quebec leases early, its landlords could potentially fine the e-commerce giant,
The company’s lease terms across Canada can include termination penalties worth “millions,” according to one source familiar with the terms
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