REGINA, Sask. — The Opposition NDP is repeating its calls for a moratorium on AI data centre development in the province, accusing the government of refusing to consult the people of Saskatchewan.
At the legislature on Friday, NDP energy critic Sally Housser called out what she referred to as the “arrogance and disrespect we're seeing being shown to the people of Saskatchewan by Premier (Scott) Moe and his minister, Jeremy Harrison.
“They've said a blanket no for talking to the people of Saskatchewan, having any further consultation on the development of AI data centres. And that's exactly why we've called for a moratorium on development of data centres, until we can get some assurances and satisfaction from this government that they actually have their ducks in a row.”
Housser said these were “major business decisions that are going to outlast not just this government, but generations.”
She also said “we need to stop doing everything ass-backwards, frankly, of making the decision, and maybe we'll just work out the logistics later. There are mid-sized condo developments that have faced more scrutiny than development of the AI data centre.”
Housser also pointed to thousands of people signing their petition to have a moratorium on the development, with the NDP reporting that, as of that morning, 3,967 had signed. She noted that the NDP had done a number of petitions on various issues, but for this one the party had seen the most uptake of just about any they had done.
“I think the petition shows that there's that desire for people to see more consultation, more information. I can't remember an issue like this that has engaged people so much across, frankly, demographics, political spectrums.”
Housser said people have genuine concerns.
“People are worried about water usage, about power usage. And it's only fair that for a project this size, the government actually talks to the people of Saskatchewan who are going to be affected. Not just affected, but we also want to ensure that who is actually seeing the economic benefit of these developments. We want to see this province grow and prosper, but we want to ensure that it's actually the people of Saskatchewan who are seeing the benefit of this development.”
Earlier this week, at an announcement in Toronto attended by Premier Scott Moe and Prime Minister Mark Carney, Bell Canada announced plans to increase its AI data centre project south of Regina to up to 1.2 gigawatts and make Regina its AI headquarters.
Following that announcement, Bell Canada group president John Watson spoke to SaskToday about his company’s efforts to be “transparent, open and present in the community.”
“I think if you were to reach out and ask the folks in the surrounding areas, they're very pleased with what we've done, the level of engagement, the openness, the ease of contact. Our general contractors have done the same. They went door to door. In fact, we've had a number of meetings with the team in Sherwood and answered all the questions … And the door is wide open. We want to engage, we want to answer questions.”
Despite that announcement, the indication is that the RM of Sherwood council will still need to sign off on a development permit for the latest expansion before it officially goes ahead. The RM is also due to go to the polls by November for council seat elections, which could also impact the decision-making.
Housser took issue with the major Bell expansion announcement being made before the project was even approved at the RM level.
“It’s mind-boggling to me that you come out, you make these massive announcements. Again, it's doing things backwards of having the conversations with the RM, I'm sure.”
Housser pointed to what she called a ”lack of respect and a lack of accountability from this government — that people are used to having things just rammed through without them being consulted and without, again, that assurance that we're actually going to see the benefit here in terms of the power, the water, any environmental impact.
“What is the benefit to Saskatchewan workers? How many jobs are actually created? Are they going to be done by workers in Saskatchewan, building trades affiliated workers in Saskatchewan? How many jobs are there actually going to be when the centre is finished being constructed? Again, none of these questions are out of left field. They are all reasonable and basic things that should be answered before we barrel ahead.”
The NDP says it plans to keep going with its petition for some time yet. There is also a possibility it may bring private member’s legislation when the new legislative session gets underway later this fall, although Housser indicated nothing is confirmed.
“We're thinking about our legislative agenda here at that point. But ultimately it will be for the government to decide if they support that call of thousands and thousands of people who have signed a petition for a moratorium.”
Minister Harrison responds
In response to the NDP news conference, Minister for Crown Investments Corporation Jeremy Harrison issued a statement taking issue with the NDP stance on AI data centres.
“'This is a project of national significance for the future of Canada's sovereign AI and data security future,” Harrison stated. A business leader mentioned to me when this was announced by the Premier and Prime Minister Carney that they viewed this as the modern day equivalent of the building of the trans Canadian railway in the early days of Canada. I told them that it might be, and had the NDP existed at that time they would have opposed the railway on the basis that it impacted too many beaver dams! And the NDP would have opposed it, because it’s actually who they are. Anti-investment, anti-jobs, and anti-development. It’s remarkable how the NDP have found a reason to oppose every new project and investment in this province for one reason or another.
“Let's be clear on what the NDP are demanding; the immediate killing of thousands of jobs, billions of investment, a new head office in Regina, and a nationally important project that will benefit the people of Saskatchewan and the country.”
Harrison also said that if this infrastructure is not built in Canada “it will go elsewhere,” pointing to the United States or China. He also said this would cede “sovereign jurisdiction and control over our data and AI infrastructure. Those are the stakes and that is who the NDP are siding with.”
Harrison also pointed to stakeholders who have spoken out in support of the project including the Saskatchewan and Regina Chambers of Commerce, IBEW, United Association Local 179, Saskatchewan Building Trades Union, and Mayor of Regina Chad Bachynski.
“This Premier and this government will continue to work hard to attract generational projects so that we can continue to invest in our communities, hospitals, and schools. That’s how we keep Saskatchewan strong and steady,” said Harrison.
