Meta says it plans to build a new AI data centre in Sturgeon County, Alta., shown in this rendered image.Sturgeon Data Centre/The Canadian Press
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The rapid growth of artificial intelligence has driven a demand for data centres across Canada. In June, Ottawa unveiled a plan for $2.3-billion in spending on AI initiatives, including $700-million to subsidize the building of large-scale data centres.
There are several development projects underway in Canada, with plans for many, many more: Meta plans to build a $13-billion-plus artificial intelligence data centre in Sturgeon County, Alta; Telus Corp. says it will develop two data centres in Vancouver; Bell Canada parent company BCE Inc. is planning to build a $1.7-billion AI data centre outside Regina.
Communities, however, are pushing back against the construction of AI data centres in their neighbourhoods, with some municipalities implementing or considering temporary bans on new construction to allow time to study the impacts. Residents in some communities have raised concerns about energy use, water consumption, noise and the true economic benefits.
Oakville, Ont., introduced a one-year moratorium this month, while council in Mississauga will vote on one in September. Meanwhile, Hamilton council voted against a moratorium.
Business reporter Joe Castaldo and national reporter Joe Friesen answered reader questions about the data centres slated for development in Canada, why so many have faced public backlash and the reasons behind Ottawa’s AI push.
Read their answers in the comments below.