The Greater Toronto Area is home to some of Canada's largest distribution centres, concentrated in Brampton, Mississauga, and Etobicoke. These facilities hire continuously for warehouse associates, order pickers, and forklift operators. Most entry-level DC roles are accessible without prior experience, and overnight shifts routinely pay premiums above the daytime rate.
Distribution centres currently hiring in the GTA
Sourced from Indeed Canada and employer career pages as of June 5, 2026.
Amazon Fulfillment Centres (Brampton & Mississauga)
Warehouse Associate / Fulfillment Associate · Brampton & Mississauga, ON · Full-time
View openings →Loblaws Distribution Centre (Etobicoke)
Warehouse Associate / Order Selector · Etobicoke, ON · Full-time
View openings →FedEx Ground Sortation (Mississauga)
Package Handler / Sorter · Mississauga, ON · Part-time and Full-time
View openings →UPS Sortation Facility (Mississauga)
Warehouse Associate / Package Handler · Mississauga, ON · Part-time
View openings →Dollar Tree Distribution Centre (Brampton)
Warehouse Associate / Forklift Operator · Brampton, ON · Full-time
View openings →Grocery wholesale DCs (various GTA)
Order Picker / Receiving Clerk · GTA, ON · Full-time
View openings →Shopify Fulfillment Network (Mississauga)
Fulfillment Associate / Packer · Mississauga, ON · Full-time
View openings →Pharmaceutical DCs (GTA)
Warehouse Associate / Packer · Mississauga & Brampton, ON · Full-time
View openings →What distribution centre workers earn in the GTA
General warehouse associates and order pickers at GTA distribution centres typically earn $18–$24/hour. Ontario's general minimum wage is $17.60/hour as of October 2025, so most DC employers pay a meaningful premium above that floor to attract and retain workers. Amazon fulfillment centre associates typically start at $20–$22/hour with annual increases. Loblaws and major grocery DCs tend to be unionized and at the higher end of the range with benefit coverage.
Forklift-certified workers command a meaningful pay premium, typically $22–$28/hour for counterbalance forklift operators in GTA distribution centres. Receiving clerks who manage inbound freight, verify counts, and process purchase orders typically earn $21–$26/hour. Team leads and shift supervisors in DC settings typically earn $26–$34/hour.
Shift patterns at Toronto-area DCs
Most large distribution centres in the GTA operate on two or three shifts to maximize throughput. Common shift patterns:
- Day shift: 6am–2pm or 7am–3pm. Typically the most competitive to get; often reserved for senior or more experienced staff.
- Afternoon shift: 2pm–10pm or 3pm–11pm. Common at most large DCs and accessible to new hires.
- Overnight (night) shift: 10pm–6am or 11pm–7am. Most DCs pay a shift premium of $1–$3/hour for overnight work, making these shifts meaningfully higher total compensation for the same role.
Amazon and major courier DC facilities sometimes offer fixed-day weekend-only positions (e.g. two 12-hour Saturday/Sunday shifts that count as full-time). These are valued by workers with weekday commitments and tend to fill quickly when posted.
Do you need a forklift licence?
Under Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act, employers are required to ensure forklift operators are trained and competent before operating equipment. There is no provincially-issued licence per se, but a counterbalance forklift certification from an accredited training provider is required and recognized across employers.
Private forklift training courses in the GTA typically cost $300–$500 for a one-day counterbalance certification. The pay premium for certified forklift operators, typically $3–$5/hour above a general associate rate, means the certification pays for itself within a month. Many larger GTA employers (Amazon, Loblaws DC, UPS) offer in-house forklift training to existing associates, so starting as a general associate and earning certification on the job is a practical path. Browse all warehouse and DC roles on CanuckHire or see our warehouse jobs in Toronto guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to work at a distribution centre in the GTA?
No. Most entry-level DC roles, warehouse associate, order picker, packer, require no prior warehouse experience. Physical fitness and reliability are the primary requirements. Forklift operator roles require certification, which some employers provide on the job.
How much do warehouse workers earn at GTA distribution centres?
General warehouse associates and order pickers typically earn $18–$24/hour. Forklift-certified operators earn $22–$28/hour. Overnight shift workers receive a shift premium of $1–$3/hour on top of their base rate. Unionized DC positions (Loblaws, major grocery DCs) tend to be at the higher end.
Where are most of the distribution centres near Toronto?
The majority of large GTA distribution centres are located in Brampton and Mississauga along the Highway 410, 427, and 401 corridors. Etobicoke has a concentration of food distribution facilities. Toronto proper has relatively few large DCs due to real estate costs.
How do I get a forklift licence in Ontario?
Ontario does not issue a formal provincial forklift licence. Instead, you need a counterbalance forklift certification from an accredited training provider. Courses cost $300–$500 and take one day. Many larger DC employers also provide in-house certification training to associates.
Do distribution centres offer part-time work in Toronto?
Yes. FedEx Ground and UPS sortation facilities in Mississauga frequently offer part-time evening and overnight shifts (typically 4–5 hours per shift) that are popular with students and workers seeking supplemental income. Amazon also posts regular seasonal and part-time roles at their Brampton and Mississauga facilities.