Alberta Residents Rally Against AI Data Centres Amid Government Town Halls

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Protests are planned against AI data centres in Alberta as the government organizes town halls to address public concerns. Activists demand genuine consultation before proceeding with projects.

EDMONTON – A prominent figure in the opposition to artificial intelligence data centres in Alberta has announced that provincial officials should prepare for significant feedback during an upcoming town hall meeting. Ben Baril, a 20-year-old business student at the University of Alberta, expressed that he and fellow demonstrators intend to voice their concerns at a hearing scheduled for August 20 in Sturgeon County. Baril stated, "If there’s an open mic portion at these halls, we’re gonna try to flood it as much as possible," emphasizing that genuine public consultation should have occurred prior to the approval of these projects.
Data centres, which are facilities housing essential computing hardware for various tech applications utilizing AI, are rapidly emerging across Canada. Notably, a report from York University’s Schulich School of Business indicates that Alberta is at the forefront of this expansion. In July, the provincial government announced that tech giant Meta is establishing a large-scale facility in Sturgeon County, situated to the north of Edmonton. This facility is expected to be operational within the next two to three years and is touted by the government as the largest AI data centre investment in Canadian history, with over one gigawatt of capacity and a staggering $13 billion price tag.
The announcement has sparked controversy. Baril recently organized a protest outside Sturgeon County’s office in opposition to Meta’s centre, along with other planned data centres in the province. The demonstration attracted hundreds of participants, who voiced their grievances about the lack of community consultation regarding the Meta facility and the transparency of the government's plans for other data centres. Concerns were raised about potential increases in water and utility bills, as these facilities are known to consume substantial amounts of electricity and water for both operation and cooling.
Following the protest, Alberta's government announced a series of town hall meetings. The event in Sturgeon County is one of four planned sessions, with the first taking place on August 19 in Ponoka, central Alberta. Technology Minister Nate Glubish is set to host these gatherings. He stated, "We know Albertans have questions about AI data centres, and they deserve clear, factual answers," indicating that the town halls aim to clarify the purpose of data centres, their construction rationale, and the opportunities they present.
In an effort to address public concerns, the government has also launched a dedicated website detailing data centre operations, their potential impact on utility bills, and the environmental assessments required prior to project approval. Glubish highlighted that this resource aims to consolidate factual information about the power and water usage of data centres, reassuring citizens that Alberta is developing these facilities responsibly.
The Alberta NDP, the opposition party, has initiated its own AI consultation tour, with the next session scheduled for Wednesday. The NDP criticized the government for not adequately considering Albertans' concerns, asserting, "The premier has made her position clear – AI data centres are coming to Alberta, whether Albertans support them or not." They affirmed their support for investment and job creation but emphasized that substantial projects must align with public interests and community support.
To attract hyperscale developers, Alberta has established a “concierge” service designed to assist companies in navigating provincial regulations. The government’s new website indicates that some data centres will generate their own energy, while others might utilize a mix of on-site energy and surplus energy from Alberta's grid. Specifically, Premier Smith noted that Meta's facility will initially rely on Alberta’s surplus energy until a new natural gas-fired plant, dubbed the Greenlight Electricity Centre, becomes operational in 2030.
The Alberta Utilities Commission is responsible for reviewing applications for utility infrastructure necessary to support data centres, including electric power plants and natural gas pipelines. As for water usage, the government assures that each request will undergo a rigorous assessment. The website states, "Every drop a data centre wants goes through the same Water Act review as any other industrial project," ensuring that household water needs remain unaffected.
Premier Smith has also stated that the water consumption of Meta's data centre will be comparable to that of a typical golf course, employing a closed-loop water cooling system designed to minimize external water sourcing. The Alberta government insists that all facilities must complete an environmental assessment.
However, Baril remains skeptical of the government's assurances regarding the environmental impact of Meta and other data centres. He expressed concern over the significant energy consumption's effect on the environment, referencing a recent report from the United Nations University that highlighted the global environmental footprint of data centres, rivaling that of some of the world's largest nations. "Citizens should have a say," Baril asserted. "If people are not in favour of it, then they just shouldn’t be built."

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