Bell Canada revealed its intent on Monday to enlarge a planned AI data center near Regina by fourfold, setting it to become the most substantial private investment in Saskatchewan’s history. During an investment summit in Toronto led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, Bell Canada CEO Mirko Bibic shared that the contentious data center’s capacity would rise from 300 megawatts to a future requirement of 1.2 gigawatts. This expansion would necessitate an increased investment of $52 billion in the Bell AI Fabric by the telecommunications titan.
With Premier Scott Moe by his side, Bibic commended the Saskatchewan Party government for fostering an investment-friendly climate in the province. He emphasized that the decision to choose Saskatchewan was due to its favorable investment environment. Drawing a historical parallel, Moe likened the data center’s significance to the construction of the Canadian railway, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding Canadian data for national sovereignty.
The province anticipates that the expansion could generate up to 500 permanent jobs, including around 100 managerial roles, along with an additional 3,000 jobs in security and maintenance sectors. Prime Minister Carney lauded the investment as a prime example of the projects his administration aims to support.
Former Prime Ministers Jean Chretien and Stephen Harper were present at the announcement, alongside Bibic and Moe, and posed for photographs. The Opposition NDP criticized the lack of public consultation on the expansion, with NDP’s technology, innovation, and AI critic Brittney Senger accusing Moe of disregarding Saskatchewan residents’ concerns in favor of corporate interests.
Senger raised questions about the power source for the 1.2-gigawatt expansion and the water requirements for the enlarged project. The provincial government deferred inquiries regarding further approvals to Bell Canada and the Rural Municipality of Sherwood, where the data center is situated. The RM and Reeve Ray Orb did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the expansion.
The RM granted approval for the data center in April after the province appointed new council members following resignations. Approximately 100 protesters congregated outside the RM office during the approval process by the predominantly appointed council.
Bibic disclosed that discussions with Moe and Minister Jeremy Harrison in July paved the way for the project’s expansion. The news release clarified that Bell Canada would be responsible for supplying its power for the expansion, as it did for the initial project. The two-day Toronto summit aims to attract $1 trillion in investments amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States.