DARTMOUTH – Amazon, a leading American e-commerce giant, held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday in the Halifax area for a significant new warehouse that is set to enhance its order fulfillment capabilities with advanced robotics and a workforce of over 1,000 full-time employees.
The planned warehouse, which will occupy more than 200,000 square metres in the Burnside industrial park in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, is expected to open in 2029. While specific financial details regarding the project remain undisclosed, Brooks Barnett, head of economic development for Amazon Canada, cited the proximity to Halifax's port, a growing customer base, and an openness to investment as key factors in selecting the region for this facility.
Barnett emphasized that the new warehouse will streamline order processing, allowing for an expanded product selection and quicker delivery times for customers in the area. Despite these improvements, he refrained from promising same-day delivery. "The second you click 'buy,' a robot in this building will be moving to satisfy your order," he stated, indicating the facility's reliance on automation to enhance efficiency.
Employee compensation at the new site will begin at $26 per hour, complemented by benefits such as health care, dental coverage, and a retirement savings plan. Barnett, however, declined to comment on whether this new location will replace the Quebec warehouse that was closed in January 2025 following employees' unionization efforts there.
Approximately 240 workers at Amazon's Laval, Quebec warehouse unionized in May 2024, marking the first successful union formation among the company's Canadian warehouses. Although Amazon contested the unionization before the provincial labor tribunal, their objections were dismissed in October 2024. This decision was then upheld by Quebec Superior Court in a subsequent ruling.
Amazon has also navigated anti-union allegations in a now-closed warehouse in Montreal’s Lachine borough. In August 2024, the labor tribunal mandated that Amazon cease interference in union activities and ordered the company to pay the union $30,000 for its actions. In January 2026, Amazon announced plans to close all seven of its Quebec warehouses, effectively cutting 1,700 permanent and 250 temporary jobs, while asserting these closures were unrelated to the unionization efforts.
In addition to Amazon’s expansion, other U.S. tech firms are also establishing a presence in Nova Scotia. Notably, artificial intelligence company Anthropic has secured a 20-year lease for a $10-billion data center in Cape Breton, planned to commence operations late next year.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston confirmed that there is no government funding involved in the Amazon project, although the province offers economic development programs that the company may apply for. "This is a company investing in our province, like the data center as well. That's not government money either," he noted during a press briefing. He expressed optimism about international companies recognizing the potential of Nova Scotia for future investments.
In responses to inquiries about potential impacts from Democrats gaining control of the U.S. Congress, Barnett refrained from providing specific insights. Amazon's relationship with political figures, including past tensions with former President Donald Trump, has seen fluctuations over the years. There have been instances where Amazon has engaged in legal disputes concerning contract awards influenced by governmental decisions. However, since Trump’s re-election in 2024, Amazon has fostered a more cooperative relationship, exemplified by recent financial donations and content partnerships surrounding Trump-related events.
This report encapsulates Amazon's strategic investment in Nova Scotia amidst a broader narrative of labor relations and corporate governance, marking a significant chapter in Canada’s evolving technological landscape.
