Bell and EverWind face pushback on AI data centres

Two separate AI data centre projects are drawing attention in Saskatchewan and Atlantic Canada. In Saskatchewan, CBC reported that two First Nations are challenging the construction of Bell Canada’s AI data centre south of Regina, saying the project is moving ahead without consultation or enough information about environmental impacts.

Yahoo News Canada said the Bell facility is being built in the RM of Sherwood, just outside Regina, and Standing Buffalo Dakota First Nation has raised concerns about water, air and light pollution. Chief Rodger Redman formally asked Bell on Oct. 2 for scientific studies, regulatory approvals and environmental information. He said he may take Bell to court and seek a moratorium if the assessments are not shared. Bell said it has offered to meet with Standing Buffalo and that an environmental assessment will be made public with the next expansion phase. Bell also said the campus has been designed with a sealed, closed-loop water cooling system and that the project is supported by George Gordon First Nation Development Corporation.

Bell says the $52-billion facility is Canada’s largest single private sector capital investment. It also told CBC it expects 280 to 500 permanent roles between the data centres and power generation, plus up to 100 management roles at a Bell AI Fabric head office in Regina. George Gordon Developments CEO Don Ross said about 85 Indigenous workers have already been hired and that environmental oversight was part of the agreement.

In Nova Scotia, Global News reported that EverWind Fuels is hosting two information sessions this week for a proposed AI data centre in southern Cape Breton. One is at a community centre at 5 p.m. in D’Escousse, N.S., and the second is in Lower River Inhabitants, N.S., at the same time Wednesday. EverWind says the project would be a $10-billion, 18,600-square-metre AI data centre in Point Tupper that could come online by the end of 2027. The company said consultation could not happen before the Oct. 16 announcement because of a strict non-disclosure agreement with Anthropic, which signed a 20-year lease. The first phase would draw 95 megawatts of electricity, with a 325-megawatt expansion expected in mid-2028. Local residents have raised concerns about oversight and environmental assessment, and Premier Tim Houston has said it is not yet clear whether new legislation is needed.