SAQ union urges Quebec to scrap Uber Eats alcohol delivery pilot
Posted February 5, 2026 12:28 pm.
Last Updated February 5, 2026 12:29 pm.
The union representing workers at the Société des alcools du Québec who already deliver bottles of alcohol to restaurants and SAQ branches is asking the Minister of Finance to intervene to cancel the contract with Uber Eats to provide this service.
The SAQ has announced its pilot project with Uber Eats for the delivery of 150 products on the island of Montreal starting at the end of February.
Since then, voices have been raised to denounce this recourse to an American company, but the SAQ has assured that its choice did not constitute “a value judgment on Quebec companies”, but that it stemmed from “the specific criteria established for this pilot project”.
Nevertheless, the local branch of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), affiliated with the FTQ, which represents 1100 workers in SAQ distribution centres, argues that they already deliver alcohol to SAQ restaurants and branches and would therefore be able to deliver to homes as well.
The union adds that the tax money would thus remain in Quebec, in addition to absorbing the job losses that will occur due to automation.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
