While we wait for Amazon to make its decision on where it will locate its second global headquarters, the company is continuing to expand its presence in Canada.
Seattle-based Amazon announced today at its existing office in Vancouver that it is opening another office in the city that will allow the company to double its workforce in Vancouver from 1,000 to 2,000.
The new office, Amazon’s second in Vancouver, is scheduled to open in 2020 and all available job openings will be posted at Amazon.jobs.
“Amazon is excited to continue growing our workforce throughout Canada,” Alexandre Gagnon, vice president of Amazon Canada and Mexico, says in a Nov. 3 press release. “We are among the largest employers of software engineers in Canada and look forward to continuing to create new job opportunities for Canadians.”
Along with the announcement comes news that the company’s Canadian workforce has grown to over 5,000 full-time employees with its corporate offices in Vancouver, Ottawa, and Toronto.
Navdeep Bains, Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, was on hand for the announcement in Vancouver and calls move “an exciting growth announcement” that proves the government’s top priority of job creation is working.
“Global companies like Amazon see Canada as a strong place to invest because of our talented workforce and focus on innovation – that’s translating into more jobs for people in Vancouver. Congratulations to Amazon on your continued success – you have a committed partner in Canada,” he says.
BC premier John Horgan echoes these thoughts, expressing how pleased he is that Amazon is choosing to increase its presence in Vancouver, creating jobs, and building a sustainable economy.
“We will build on Amazon’s plans to bring new jobs to BC by continuing to open up access to education and skills training, so British Columbians are ready to fill these high-paying jobs,” he adds.
Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson continues, saying, “Vancouver’s leading the way with the fastest growing, most resilient and greenest economy in Canada, and companies from all over the world, like Amazon, are moving to Vancouver with well-paying jobs to be a part of our success.”
Amazon also announced a new distribution centre in Calgary last week, which adds to its existing four in the Toronto area and two in Delta and New Westminster, BC.