Saskatchewan says new data centres must be Canadian and supply own power

Saskatchewan's government announced Thursday that new data centres in the province must be Canadian-owned and supply their own electricity. This requirement is aimed at protecting Canadian data and ensuring reliable utility services. Jeremy Harrison, Crown Investments Corporation minister, stated that Canadian companies should be the proponents of data and AI infrastructure. The framework also requires applicants to have experience and demonstrate the ability to create significant jobs.

The province will establish a centralized intake system to decide on new projects. Bell Canada, currently constructing a $1.7-billion AI data centre outside Regina, will be the largest Canadian-owned facility in the country, using 300 megawatts of power. The centre will not be subject to the new framework, as it will draw power from Saskatchewan's grid operated by Crown utility SaskPower.

Some residents have opposed the Bell site, citing concerns about noise, water, and power usage. Bell has addressed these concerns by planning to use a closed-loop system for cooling and generate excess heat for nearby University of Regina and George Gordon First Nation. John Watson, Bell's group president, emphasized that the site plans to avoid using groundwater.

Construction of the Bell site began with the arrival of crews and the beginning of framing on two of the four buildings. While the province had already been operating with the guidelines in mind, the rapid construction of the Bell site raised questions about public transparency. The Opposition NDP criticized the Saskatchewan Party government for failing to rebuild trust on the issue.