Amazon layoffs prompt Canada to review government deals
24 Jan 2025, 10:11 am
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(Jan 24): Canada’s industry minister said Amazon.com Inc’s decision to shut down all warehouses in Quebec and cut more than 1,900 jobs would prompt the government to examine its current deals with the e-commerce and technology company.

“You will undoubtedly understand that such action calls for a review of the business relationship that exists between Amazon and the Government of Canada,” Francois-Philippe Champagne said in a letter to Amazon chief executive officer Andy Jassy that was published on social media network X on Thursday.

“It is not too late to reconsider your decision.”

The intervention came after Amazon announced plans to close all seven warehouses in the French-speaking province and use subcontractors instead. Some Quebec workers had unionised less than a year earlier. Amazon insisted the announcement was unrelated to the union effort.

Canadian agencies such as border services and Health Canada have many dozens of contracts with the Amazon Web Services cloud-computing business, according to a government database, with several worth more than C$10 million (US$7 million or RM31.1 million) each.

Amazon and Canada’s industry department didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

Uploaded by Magessan Varatharaja

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