Updated at: 5:39pm Thursday, 10 Sept.
Amazon Canada is set to build a delivery center in Stoney Creek and a new warehouse in Mount Hope in 2021, which will create 1,500 full-time jobs in the area.
The 855,000 sq ft warehouse will be built near the John C. Munro International Airport in Mount Hope. Workers there will pack and ship small items. At the Stoney Creek 50,000 square foot delivery station, items will be loaded in vehicles and delivered to customers.
However, the hiring won’t start until next year. “As the site won’t open until 2021, hiring won’t launch until closer to the opening of the building,” said Amazon spokesperson Kirsten Wenker told Niagara Info.
“I’m glad to hear about this expansion by Amazon Canada in Mount Hope and Stoney Creek,” said Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff. “These projects are in close proximity to Niagara West, and will provide needed employment to 1,500 workers in the Hamilton/Niagara region.”
Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger said he looks forward to the job opportunities this will bring to the city. He called the investment “the beginning of a strong partnership with Amazon Canada.”
Anthony Marco, President of the Hamilton and District Labour Council, is optimistic but has concerns. He told CBC News that Amazon has a history of issues with working conditions and wages, so it is important to be critical of the jobs and benefits being offered to workers. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the money made at these facilities will be invested in the workers and the city.
Marco was also concerned about incentives offered to bring Amazon Canada to the area. However, Norm Schleehahn, Hamilton’s Director of Economic Development, said there were no incentives to build facilities. Instead, Amazon negotiated its tenancy with the Panattoni Development Company.
Keanin Loomis, President of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, said Amazon Canada was attracted to Hamilton because of the Airport Employment Growth District (AEGD). AEGD is a large development area surrounding John. C Munro Hamilton International Airport that is developed to create a range of live-work job opportunities for residents in the area. He called it a “great boon to the local workforce,” on Twitter.
Loomis believes that the AEGD attracted Panattoni, whose reputation in the warehouse industry may have been a factor that attracted Amazon.
Niagara West MPP Sam Oosteroff called the development on a Twitter post: “Big news for West Niagara with 1,500 @amazonca jobs coming right next door to Mount Hope!”
Amazon also has plans to open a warehouse in Ajax, which along with the facilities in Mount Hope and Stoney Creek, will create a total of over 2,500 full-time jobs in Ontario. It’s unclear if there will be any casual work like lumpers or permanent part-timers.
Even though the new Amazon facilities won’t open until 2021, Amazon’s recruiting process is ongoing. The company will hold a virtual job event on Wednesday, Sept. 16. The North America-wide virtual event will give attendees the opportunity to learn more about the nearly 800 corporate and tech jobs currently available in many Canadian locations. Click link below for further info.
Learn More:
Amazon press release about new jobs and facilities
Amazon’s job event on Sept 18