Metro says Ontario automated distribution centres unrelated to minimum wage hikes
MONTREAL — Grocery store chain Metro Inc. says the construction of its first automated distribution centres are unrelated to its efforts to offset added costs from Ontario’s rising minimum wage.
The Montreal-based company said it will eliminate about 280 jobs starting in 2021 as part of a $400-million overhaul of its Ontario distribution network.
The company said the move to modernize and automate its network will mean the loss of about 180 full-time and 100 part-time positions.
“In our industry we’re always looking at ways to become more efficient to lower pricing, but we have been talking about this for three years since I joined the company and well before anybody said anything about minimum wage,” Carmen Fortino, division head at Metro Ontario, said.