Amazon’s Quebec Expansion: A Strategic Retreat?

Over the past few years, Amazon invested heavily in Quebec, opening three delivery stations in 2021, another in 2022, and operating a small fulfillment center and two sorting warehouses. According to logistics expert Marc Wulfraat, these facilities totaled nearly 2 million square feet of operations. The company framed these investments as part of its strategy to bring operations closer to customers, promising faster deliveries and lower costs.

But now, Amazon is pulling out entirely. The reason? Workers dared to demand a voice.

The Unionization Victory Amazon Couldn’t Accept

In May, approximately 230 workers at Amazon’s Laval facility voted to join the Confédération des Syndicats Nationaux (CSN), one of Quebec’s most prominent labor unions. This historic win was a beacon of hope for Amazon workers across North America, proving that even the retail giant’s iron grip could be challenged.

Amazon, however, refused to accept the result. The company challenged the unionization before a provincial labor tribunal, arguing that the workers’ decision to sign union cards—instead of holding a secret ballot—was invalid. In October, just before the critical holiday shopping season, the tribunal ruled against Amazon, upholding the workers’ right to unionize.

Amazon’s Response: A Cowardly Exit

Rather than respecting the tribunal’s ruling and negotiating with its workers, Amazon chose to cut and run. On Wednesday, the company announced it would close all seven of its Quebec facilities, including the unionized Laval warehouse. In a carefully worded statement, Amazon spokesperson Barbara Agrait claimed the closures were about “providing great service and savings to customers.”

But let’s call this what it really is: a blatant act of union-busting. Amazon is sending a chilling message to its workers worldwide: organize, and we’ll shut you down.

Outrage from Unions and Officials

The decision has sparked outrage among unions and government officials. Caroline Senneville, president of the CSN, didn’t hold back, calling the move “a slap in the face for all workers in Quebec.” She accused Amazon of systematically undermining union efforts for years, including through tactics like “disguised dismissals” and other anti-union measures.

Quebec’s labor minister, Jean Boulet, pledged government support to help the 1,700 affected workers find new jobs. Meanwhile, federal Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne expressed his disappointment on social media, stating bluntly, “This is not the way business is done in Canada.”

Analysts: A Desperate Attempt to Silence Workers

Industry experts see Amazon’s decision as a desperate attempt to stifle worker organizing. Marc Wulfraat noted that the company’s withdrawal from Quebec—a province with the highest unionization rate in Canada—sends a clear message: “They made it very clear we do not want this spreading.”

Quebec’s unionization rate stands at nearly 40%, compared to just 10% in the U.S. This high rate has long made it difficult for companies like Walmart to establish a foothold in the province. Amazon’s retreat suggests it would rather abandon a lucrative market than deal with empowered workers.

Hypocrisy Exposed

Amazon’s decision to exit Quebec exposes the company’s hypocrisy. For years, Amazon has emphasized the importance of placing operations closer to customers to enable faster deliveries and reduce costs. Yet, by pulling out of Quebec—a province with over 8.5 million people and a major metropolitan area in Montreal—Amazon is abandoning one of its core business strategies.

This isn’t just about Quebec. It’s about Amazon’s fear of a growing labor movement that threatens its exploitative business model.

The Human Cost: 1,700 Lives Disrupted

Behind Amazon’s corporate spin are 1,700 workers whose lives have been upended. These are real people—parents, students, and breadwinners—who now face an uncertain future. While the Quebec government has promised assistance, no amount of support can undo the damage caused by Amazon’s callous decision.

A Wake-Up Call for Workers Everywhere

Amazon’s retreat from Quebec is a stark reminder of the lengths corporations will go to silence workers. But it’s also a rallying cry. The Laval workers’ victory proved that change is possible, even against a behemoth like Amazon.

As one union leader put it, “This is not the end—it’s just the beginning of a larger struggle.” Amazon may have won this battle, but the war for workers’ rights is far from over.

What’s Next?

Amazon’s exit from Quebec raises urgent questions about its commitment to fair labor practices and its future in union-heavy markets. Will other provinces or states face similar retaliation if workers organize? And how long will governments and consumers tolerate Amazon’s blatant disregard for workers’ rights?

One thing is certain: Amazon’s actions in Quebec have exposed its true colors. The question now is whether workers, advocates, and policymakers will hold the company accountable—or let it continue to trample on the rights of those who power its empire.