‘They shouldn’t be surprised’: Nova Scotians take stand against major data centre project

On Saturday, Nova Scotians gathered on the Halifax waterfront to voice their concerns against the proposed large data center project near Point Tupper. Protest organizers argue that this venture could jeopardize the environment and local resources, as they have insufficient information about the project's potential impact. Megan Boudreau, a protest organizer, emphasized that the community is already facing dwindling wells during the summertime, making it difficult to afford such a development.

Energy and infrastructure company EverWind announced a $10 billion private investment in the data center campus, which will be operated by AI development company Anthropic. Jacob Glick, head of Canada Public Policy for Anthropic, stated that they want their infrastructure closer to the people who rely on it. The initial phase of the campus will start in late 2027 with a capacity of 95 megawatts (MW), followed by a 325 MW expansion in 2028, depending on regulatory conditions. At full development, EverWind expects the campus to reach a capacity of 420 MW.

Protest organizers argue that the plans seem "randomly announced" and are trying to raise awareness about the potential harm data centers can cause. They highlighted that these companies are not providing enough information and that the benefits are often exaggerated, misleading Canadians. Boudreau questioned why Canadians should be surprised about their concerns, given the information they are being given.

She also pointed out that the CEO of the company won't be from Nova Scotia, which could lead to further job outsourcing.

Some residents are concerned about the data center's impact on Port Hawkesbury's water supply, as the facility will draw from the town's main water source, Landry Lake, which serves as the primary water supply for the town. Aidan Pottie, a Port Hawkesbury resident, expressed his worry that the development process has been hidden from the residents.

Despite the deal being signed, the protesters remain committed to their cause. They plan to organize a province-wide protest on November 7, urging the community to stand against this potentially harmful development.