Bell Canada has unveiled plans to significantly expand its AI data center near Regina, marking the largest private investment in Saskatchewan’s history. The expansion will see the facility grow from 300 megawatts to a capacity requiring 1.2 gigawatts of power, with a total investment in the Bell AI Fabric reaching $52 billion.
During an investment summit in Toronto, Bell Canada CEO Mirko Bibic acknowledged Saskatchewan’s favorable investment climate, crediting the Saskatchewan Party government. Premier Scott Moe likened the data center expansion to the historical construction of the Canadian railway, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding Canadian data and sovereignty.
The province anticipates the expansion could generate 500 permanent jobs, including management roles, and an additional 3,000 jobs in security and maintenance. Former prime ministers Jean Chretien and Stephen Harper were present at the announcement event, joining Bibic and Moe on stage.
However, the Opposition NDP criticized the lack of public consultation regarding the expansion. NDP’s technology critic, Brittney Senger, accused Moe of prioritizing corporate interests over public concerns. Questions have been raised about the source of the 1.2 gigawatts of power and the water requirements for the expanded project.
The provincial government has deferred further queries on the project to Bell Canada and the Rural Municipality of Sherwood, where the data center is situated. The Rural Municipality council, which approved the data center in April amid protests, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the expansion.
Bell Canada confirmed that discussions with Premier Moe and Minister Jeremy Harrison in July paved the way for the project’s expansion. The company will be responsible for supplying power for the enlarged facility as it did for the original one.
The two-day investment summit in Toronto aims to attract $1 trillion in investments amidst ongoing trade tensions with the United States.
