Canadians express growing opposition to large-scale data centre expansion

A majority of Canadians in several provinces express opposition to the rapid expansion of large-scale data centres, citing concerns over resource consumption and infrastructure strain. According to data from the Angus Reid Institute, 64% of respondents believe provincial governments should limit data centre development, with opposition reaching 72% in Manitoba and Atlantic Canada.

Key concerns driving this resistance include high water usage (51%), potential increases in electricity costs for households and businesses (38%), and the perception that economic benefits primarily favor large technology firms rather than local communities. In response, the federal government has introduced national principles to ensure new facilities minimize freshwater use and do not shift electricity costs onto consumers.

Specific regional developments are fueling these debates. In Alberta, Meta has begun work on a $13-billion, one-gigawatt campus near Edmonton. In Saskatchewan, Bell has proposed an expansion that could create a 1.2-gigawatt AI infrastructure hub. Meanwhile, in New Brunswick, residents in Saint John are protesting proposed projects by companies including VoltaGrid, Beacon Data Centers, and Cross River Infrastructure Partners, citing worries over noise, pollution, and power grid stability.