Amazon expands in Alberta, creates over 1,000 jobs with new fulfilment centre

Vibhore Arora, a regional director at Amazon Canada, said he's excited to expand its operations and create great, safe careers of the future for talented Albertans starting on day one. "Robotics and advanced technologies make our fulfilment centres safer and more collaborative," he stated via press release. Worker compensation starts at $16 an hour with comprehensive benefits and opportunities to work alongside Amazon Robotics in an "industry-leading" workplace.

"This is exciting news for Alberta," said Premier Jason Kenney via press statement, adding: "It is a vote of confidence in our economy, and will create over a thousand jobs for Albertans, right when we need them most."

With the ongoing economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the province is encouraging high-tech investments to get people back to work as part of its mandate to diversify and look towards the future. Jobs Minister Doug Schweitzer said Amazon's vote of confidence in Alberta with its new robotics fulfillment centre shows "the momentum our province has in the technology space," he stated.

To celebrate, Amazon will be donating more than 200 build-your-own robot kits to community groups in the Parkland County area with the goal of providing the resources necessary to introduce local youth to the world of robotics, unlock their imagination, and explore a new challenge.

"I'm excited for our young people, a top-five global business leader focused on technology and commerce innovation is setting up operations across the street in Parkland County," said William Morin, Chief of the Enoch Cree Nation 135, calling the move an important moment for young people to have "a real example of the future global economy they can be a part of."

Parkland County Mayor Rod Shaigec also chimed in, stating the facility is a "major investment" in the region that has residents "tremendously excited."

Amazon employs over 3,600 employees full- and part-time operations employees across Western Canada, with additional investments exceeding $600 million.

Amazon already has a fulfilment centre and delivery station in Leduc County that created over 600 local full-time jobs. Rocky View County also employs around 1,500 full-time associates in another fulfilment centre. The company also intends to purchase up to 400MW of electricity from Travers Solar, who constructed a gargantuan $700 million 465 MW solar farm southeast of Calgary.