New AI Data Centre sparks concerns for member of George Gordon First Nation

A massive artificial intelligence (AI) data centre is being developed near Regina, and some locals are voicing concerns over impacts and lack of consultations.

In March, Bell Canada and the Saskatchewan government announced that a 300-megawatt data centre will be built in Sherwood, Saskatchewan. The project is set to be the largest purpose-built data centre in Canada.

Bell is investing $1.7 billion in the project – its largest ever in the province – which will consist of four data halls that will be brought online by the end of next year.

The data centre is being built on bordering land acquired by George Gordon First Nation (GGFN) in 2019. The First Nation has partnered with Bell and the provincial government, but some members are concerned about the impacts the centre could bring.

“I have a lot of concerns over the duty to consult,” said Janna Pratt, a member of GGFN who lives off-reserve in Regina.

“The land is technically up to Chief and council to do whatever they want with, but a lot of people don’t agree with having a data centre nearby,” she said.

Pratt said GGFN the purchased land across the road from where the data centre is being built was intended to be turned into reserve land for the use of the First Nation. She said the development across the road limit the use of the land.

“It’s meant for everyone to grow and prosper from it, and with a lot of the social issues we face, especially the disconnection of culture, we could be using these lands as hubs for our communities.”

According to a press release, the project will generate up to 800 temporary construction jobs, and 80 full-time jobs at the facility once operations begin in 2027. But Pratt believes the benefits are short-term.

“It’s only temporary jobs. The intent of AI is to take human jobs – this centre will cause more jobs lost in Canada overall,” she said. “As far as long term planning – how many people from our nation will work in the data centre? It’s probably one or two out of a nation of thousands.”

Pratt is also concerned with significant environmental and resource impacts. AI data centres require millions of gallons of water daily to cool millions of heat-generating processors, heavily stressing local supplies and overdrawn acquirers.

AI data centres typically use a closed-loop recirculation system, rerouting the heated liquid to external dry coolers or chillers to release the heat.

“The water still needs to be dumped some place, and that’s going to be toxic water. It’ll also need to be filled now and then,” said Pratt.

She is also concerned about noise and air pollution, as industrial cooling fans, HVAC units, and generators pose respiratory risks and disrupts sleep from nearby residents.

“There needs to be legislation, and there’s none right now. We need to talk about sovereignty, we need to talk about environmental laws and protections. There needs to be safeguards for us.”

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has touted the AI data centre as a ‘historic investment’ and said the project marks a significant economic shift for the province.

But Pratt said having her voice heard has been a struggle. At a community meeting for the RM of Sherwood, Pratt said her motion to speak was denied.

“If Scott Moe is saying that this is that big, then we need to have that big of a conversation about it,” said Pratt.

With the numerous community and environmental impacts, Pratt said that the AI data centre, set to neighbour GGFN, will sit in conflict with Indigenous worldviews.

“It’s a huge conflict. What about other nations that will have to put up with centres being built in their nations?” said Pratt. “AI is coming, and it’s coming fast, and we as a people haven’t had a chance to talk about it.”