Amazon bringing 3,000 new tech jobs to Vancouver

Amazon has announced plans to expand its Vancouver tech hub and bring 3,000 new jobs to the city.

The new positions will be focused on e-commerce technology, cloud computing and machine learning.

Staff will be based out of the city's old Canada Post building on West Georgia Street, with the revamped site expected to open by 2022.

A statement said the space will be redeveloped, but the architecture will be preserved as a heritage initiative.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was on hand for the announcement at the future Amazon site on Monday morning along with Amazon's general manager of web services, Jesse Dougherty.

"Canadians share your passion for invention and your commitment to excellence, and that's why we are excited to see Amazon grow here in Vancouver," Trudeau said.

Dougherty echoed the prime minister's remarks.

"We chose to build and grow in Canada because we recognize the diverse and exceptionally talented workforce here,'' he said.

"As a homegrown British Columbian and a software engineer, I am so proud of living and working in a city that is recognized worldwide as a first-rate global tech hub.''

6,000 employees across Canada

Currently, around 6,000 people work for Amazon across Canada, with 1,000 of them based in Vancouver at several sites, including the company's Telus Garden location, which opened in 2015.

That location and the incoming hub at the old Canada Post location are just a few blocks apart from each other in Vancouver's downtown.

Last November, Amazon confirmed plans to open another downtown site on Dunsmuir Street in 2020, bringing another 1,000 jobs to the city.

Vancouver put in a bid to host Amazon's proposed new corporate base, HQ2, last year. The city was billed as the best value option with the best location, given its proximity to Seattle for what would be the company's second North American base.

The West Coast city ultimately failed to make the short list of cities; Toronto was the only Canadian city to make the first cut.

Amazon is expected to announce its choice city for the HQ2 location some time this year.