Amazon announced Wednesday it is investing more than 78 million in pay increases for Canada operations employees, raising its average hourly base wage to $26.27 per hour — up from $25.27 in 2025, a 4% year-over-year increase.
The retail and logistics giant said the pay increase means full-time Canada operations employees working 40 hours per week would earn more than $54,000 per year on average.
Beyond the hourly rate, Amazon said its step plan compensation model provides eligible hourly full- and part-time employees with planned pay increases every six months until their 24-month anniversary, with another increase at month 36.
“Every day, our associates across Canada go the extra mile to prepare packages for customer deliveries, and we’re grateful for their dedication,” said Jasmin Begagic, Director, AMZL Canada. “We remain committed to ensuring they have the wages, benefits, and career development opportunities they need to succeed and grow — and this is how we deliver on that.”
Starting October 1, 2026, Amazon said it is introducing the Employee Grocery and Daily Essentials Discount for eligible employees in Canada — including full-time, part-time, and seasonal Canada operations employees as well as corporate employees. Eligible employees across the country will receive 10% off online grocery and daily essentials purchases on Amazon.ca — with no cap on savings. The discount is available from Day 1 of employment with no minimum hours requirement, and covers eligible categories including pantry items, snacks and beverages, health and personal care, household essentials, beauty, baby items, and pet products.
Retail analyst Bruce Winder Bruce said Amazon’s announcement is a good sign for the Canadian economy.
“As inflation has been around 3% this raise will help with the affordability crisis for workers. The new 10% grocery benefit will be a big help too,” said Winder.
“If I was a person in my 20’s or 30’s who was interested in the retail or technology industry I would check Amazon out as you can make a good wage and get full benefits including medical, dental and eyecare and rise up in a company that is expanding.
“You can also go back to school and get reimbursed which is also attractive as you avoid student debt. It would be nice for other companies to do the same so we can improve our standard of living as a country.”
Feeling the heat of the first union contract soon to be awarded to workers at its YVR2 facility in Delta, B.C., Unifor said Amazon has announced a sudden wage increase across its Canadian operations, much like Walmart did in 2024.
“It’s about time Amazon recognizes that if they want to operate in Canada, they will do it while respecting the rights of the very workers they employ. We’re going to keep the pressure on to see workers across Canada benefit from the gains made through collective bargaining,” said Unifor National President Lana Payne.
The wage bump announced coincides closely with the pending conclusion of mediation ordered by the B.C. Labour Relations Board. Following months of stalling and challenges by Amazon, Unifor was forced to seek a first contract through binding arbitration, said the national union.
“Pay raises are just one part of the equation. A union means a voice for workers, not only on their pay and benefits, but in fixing health and safety and the notoriously dangerous speed ups that Amazon is known for the world over,” said Unifor Western Regional Director Gavin McGarrigle. “Only by working together with the power of a union can we fix the systemic abuses at Amazon.”
Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union said it advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.
Amazon said the pay increase and new grocery discount build on Amazon’s existing workplace benefits package for Canadian employees. For regular full-time Canada operations employees, benefits start on day one of employment and include:
- Extended health, dental, and vision benefits providing additional coverage beyond provincial health plans, including treatments like massage therapy, chiropractic treatment, acupuncture, physiotherapy, vision care, and coverage for prescription drugs
- An RRSP savings plan with a Deferred Profit Sharing Program (employer match)
- Financial, mental, and physical health resources
- The Employee Prime Benefit, giving eligible employees Prime memberships at no additional cost after 90 days of employment
- The Career Choice program, which pre-pays 100% of tuition, up to a yearly maximum, toward a certificate or diploma in high-demand careers after 90 days of tenure (language courses are available from Day 1). Fourteen educational institutions across Canada are partnered with Career Choice, and since the program launched in 2014, more than 13,500 employees in Canada have participated. Among the most popular programs are commercial vehicle operation, data analytics, IT support, cybersecurity, clean energy, and construction trades.
All Canada operations employees — including seasonal — have access to mental health and wellbeing support through Amazon’s Employee Assistance Program from Day 1, it added.
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