Amazon, the giant online technology and retail company, is very ambitiously in the process of building and opening new fulfillment centers in different areas of Canada and is planning to open many more, according to a news release on Wednesday, September 9, 2020. The announcement comes almost two years after Amazon decided to increase its second headquarters in two United States cities and rejected a bid from Toronto and its surrounding municipalities that had been among the final contenders attempting to be chosen.
The new plans mean that there will also be the creation of thousands of new jobs with benefits and competitive pay starting on day one. Amazon already employs over 21,000 employees in Canada.Amazon is also presenting a boon to the economy wherever it places a new center that attracts other businesses as well.
Two warehouse and distribution centers in southern Ontario due to open in 2021 are as follows:
* HAMILTON and MOUNT HOPE, ONTARIO: As Amazon’s 16th fulfillment center in Canada and 10th in Ontario, this 855,000 square-foot facility will employ over 1,500 to pick, pack and ship smaller items such as electronics, books, and toys. This facility will be one of the largest local investments in its square footage. The location is in Mount Hope adjacent to the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport.
Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger said that this endeavor highlights that Hamilton remains the province’s premier destination to innovate, do, and grow business. He further stated that this is the start of a strong partnership with Amazon Canada, and the area looks forward to continued future collaboration.
* AJAX, ONTARIO: The 92,900 square-meter location east of Toronto will employ over 1,000 workers who pick out, pack, and ship larger items such as patio furniture, sports equipment, pet food, and household goods.
Other Upcoming New Centers
* WATERLOO REGION will get a second delivery station later this year.
* A CALEDON center will create 800 full-time jobs.
* An OTTAWA center will have 600 jobs.
* Five delivery stations are planned. The one in ETOBICOKE has already launched. KITCHENER is expected to open later this year. SCARBOROUGH, STONEY CREEK, and VAUGHAN are to launch in 2021.
These large numbers of openings and new full-time and part-time jobs that Amazon has committed to are arriving at a crucial time. It is the kind of investment needed in Canada as the economy is trying to recover from COVID-19.
