Amazon’s Quebec Warehouse Closures Bring Uncertainty for 5,000+ Workers

When Amazon announced its decision to close its operations in Quebec, the immediate focus was on the tech giant and its 1,700 employees. But the real, hidden problem goes much deeper: over 25 local delivery companies and thousands of workers are now facing an uncertain future. 

These small Quebec businesses, dependent on Amazon’s contracts, are struggling to stay afloat, while employees — many of them immigrants — are left grappling with a job market already under strain. With the Quebec and Canadian economies struggling, the challenges for these workers and businesses are even more severe.

More than 25 Quebec delivery companies, which Amazon calls Delivery Service Partners (DSPs), employing approximately 180-200 people each, are facing an uncertain future. Up to 80 per cent of these companies are operated by immigrants and newcomers who have already struggled to find work in Quebec’s job market.

The impact of Amazon’s closure extends beyond just these companies — it also affects related local services such as mechanic garages, accounting firms, and medical and health insurance companies. All of this is happening while both the Canadian and Quebec economies are facing challenging times, marked by inflation, rising unemployment rates, and increasing prices. A significant portion of these workers were already struggling to find stable jobs before starting these businesses, as many of them arrived in Quebec and Canada seeking better opportunities.

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It’s important to note that this type of job is not easy. Drivers deal with snowstorms and extreme cold in the winter (often acting as “Santa Amazon” during Christmas), heat and humidity in the summer, and hazardous road conditions. Despite these challenges, they’ve built a reputation for trust and safety among Quebecers.

Back injuries are common and when you visit any warehouse, you’ll notice posters, warnings, and instructions designed to keep workers safe from injury. I’ve personally witnessed numerous accidents and injuries among my colleagues, and how these incidents forced them to stop working, often leading to loss of income despite their full salaries.

I speak from my experience as a political science graduate from Concordia University (2021) who faced similar struggles in finding a job in Quebec both before and after graduation. During my studies, I worked as an Uber driver from 2015 to 2016, facing many of the same challenges as other workers in precarious jobs. Since graduation, I’ve continued to face difficulties securing stable employment. However, Amazon provided me with two key opportunities, besides my activism as a writer and advocate: working as a driver from 2021 to 2022 and as an employee with a blue badge.

My wife, Christine, and I arrived in Canada in May 2014 from Lebanon. We were full of dreams, energy, and determination to build better futures, homes, and families. Our journey was long and difficult — fleeing the war in Syria to Dubai, then seeking refuge in Lebanon, before finally arriving in Canada. We immediately embraced the Canadian dream: enrolling in francization courses, working part-time jobs, and eventually being admitted to universities. Today, we are a family of four: our two kids are David, 8 years old, and Zoe, 6 months old. Despite both of us holding university degrees, we struggle to make ends meet. 

Still, we feel blessed to live in this beautiful country, sharing its joys and challenges with our fellow citizens.

In addition to my journalism studies at Damascus University, which I was unable to complete due to the war, I began studying at Concordia University in 2015. Over five years, I completed a 120-credit program, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Religions and Cultures. But life after university and the realities of the job market have been far removed from the dreams and ambitions we once held.

My colleagues at Amazon share similar stories. “It’s a good place to work with a great environment and benefits,” says Mary Domatas, 54 years old, a warehouse associate. However, she explains how the loss of this job has affected her: “I’m struggling to make ends meet because of the job loss, and it’s hard to get by when everything is so expensive.”

Mary also expresses concern about the future of Quebec, fearing that the province is in decline. She worries that job opportunities are becoming increasingly limited and that potential investors may think twice about investing in Quebec after the closure of such a giant company.

Simon*, a dispatcher for one of the delivery companies (DSP), along with some of his driver colleagues, shared their concerns: “There should be a solution between the Quebec government and Amazon. It’s unbelievable that all these employees are now facing an uncertain future after so many years of service at Amazon.”

Speaking about the nature of their work, they added: “We have up to 200 stops per day and work in all kinds of conditions. It is not an easy job. However, the job offers flexible schedules, especially for students, and good pay, $23.40 (per hour) at the beginning, compared to other jobs.” 

“Why does the news about Amazon’s closure only mention the 1,700 Amazon employees? Third-party companies (DSPs) are Quebec-based and have more than three times as many employees as Amazon. Why are we being neglected by the media and the government?”

For the many workers affected, including myself, this isn’t just a business matter — it’s a deeply personal one. The struggles of these workers and the businesses they sustain are a reflection of the broader challenges Quebec faces in navigating an uncertain economic landscape. Supporting these small businesses and workers, especially those who have long contributed to the economy despite facing adversity, is essential to ensuring a more resilient future for all.