Bell Canada has revealed intentions to increase the size of a proposed AI data center near Regina fourfold, marking the largest private investment in Saskatchewan’s history. During an investment summit in Toronto hosted by Prime Minister Mark Carney, Bell Canada CEO Mirko Bibic disclosed plans to expand the controversial data center from its initial 300-megawatt capacity to a future requirement of 1.2 gigawatts. This expansion will involve a rise in Bell’s investment in the Bell AI Fabric to $52 billion.
Acknowledging the investment-friendly environment created by the Saskatchewan Party government, Bibic commended Premier Scott Moe for facilitating such opportunities in the province. Moe likened the significance of the data center to the construction of the transcontinental railway in safeguarding national sovereignty, emphasizing the need to protect Canadians’ data in today’s technological landscape.
The province anticipates that the expansion could generate up to 500 permanent jobs, including approximately 100 management roles, along with an additional 3,000 jobs in security and maintenance sectors. Prime Minister Carney lauded this investment as a prime example of the projects his administration aims to support.
The announcement drew attention from former Prime Ministers Jean Chretien and Stephen Harper, who joined Bibic and Moe on stage for photo opportunities. However, the provincial Opposition NDP criticized the government for lack of public consultation on the expansion, with NDP’s technology, innovation, and AI critic Brittney Senger accusing Moe of disregarding citizen concerns by aligning with corporate interests.
Questions regarding the power supply and water consumption for the expanded project remain unanswered, with the provincial government directing inquiries about further approvals to Bell Canada and the Rural Municipality of Sherwood, the site of the data center. The RM and Reeve Ray Orb have yet to comment on the expansion. The RM had approved the data center in April amid protests outside the RM office, following the appointment of new council members by the province.
Bibic disclosed that discussions with Moe and Minister Jeremy Harrison in July had laid the groundwork for the project’s expansion. Bell Canada is expected to self-supply power for the expanded facility, as it had done for the initial project. The two-day investment summit in Toronto aims to attract $1 trillion in investments amidst ongoing trade tensions with the United States.