Locals ‘denied a say’ in Saskatchewan AI data centres; NDP calls for moratorium

The Saskatchewan Opposition NDP is demanding a moratorium on the construction of artificial intelligence data centres until the provincial government establishes a framework and addresses public concerns. The NDP's leader, Carla Beck, made the call during a news conference after Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Scott Moe announced Bell Canada's plan to quadruple the size of its data centre in the RM of Sherwood, Saskatchewan.

Beck urged transparency and a new framework for future administrations to ensure that the concerns of residents are taken into account.

NDP innovation, technology and AI critic Brittney Senger also spoke at a news conference in front of a potential hyperscale AI data centre site in Corman Park, located north of Saskatoon. She highlighted the concerns of residents regarding the potential impact on local water supplies, power grid, and power bills. Senger emphasized that residents have been left with more questions than answers about the project's impacts and the lack of consultation in decision-making processes.

The NDP critic questioned why local communities are denied a say in the future development of data centres in their communities, adding that they might be open to these facilities if proven beneficial. The province's Crown corporation, SaskPower, will not be responsible for powering the Bell Canada data centre in Sherwood, which will use a closed system with water trucked in. The company stated that the data centre will not use excessive groundwater.

The provincial government acknowledged the increased interest in building data centres in Saskatchewan and is reviewing the numerous development requests. They referred Global News to a social media post from Premier Scott Moe, who spoke about the importance of "home ice advantage" as a metaphor for Canadian data sovereignty within the AI data centre framework released by the government last month.