NDP question if Prince Albert on the list for an AI data centre

Senger who has been studying AI data centres in depth, explained in the United States, people are expected to pay an additional $7 billion every year to cover the power rates associated with these centers. And she added in areas where major data center developments happen, wholesale electricity prices have shot up by more than 260 per cent.

“That’s staggering and that’s exactly the kind of sticker shock we’re warning about here in Prince Albert,” she said.

Senger stated this all comes at a time when families here are already struggling with the cost of living, and facing known power rate increase this year and next year.

She then went on to state the NDP are calling for an immediate moratorium on hyperscale AI data centers until the proper evaluation process and meaning consultation are established.

“This isn’t about opposing economic development. It’s about making sure developments benefit Saskatchewan people instead of leaving them behind,” she said.

This aerial photo shows construction of sound barriers along the edge of the Bell Canada data centre site in the RM of Sherwood on April 30, 2026. (Image Credit: Submitted/Bell Canada))

At a recent Hudson Bay Route Association conference, Premier Scott Moe argued AI data centers are important for Canada’s data sovereignty, allowing Canadian information to be stored in Canada under Canadian laws. When asked to respond, Senger said where the data resides, is only one very small piece of the puzzle here.

“A much bigger piece is the companies that are using these data centers,” she said, adding the companies that are using the data center are subject to the the law of the country that the company is headquartered in.

“So when we’re talking about data sovereignty being where the data is located, we don’t know what data is going to be stored here because it’s U.S. companies so we don’t know if it’s going to be our data that’s here and even if it is, it’s still going to be subject to the laws of other countries like the United States,” she said.

New provincial guidelines for data centre developments were released in September by the Saskatchewan government in an effort to address public concerns about water and electricity use.

Response from Minister Jeremy Harrison

According to an emailed statement from Minister Harrison, the NDP is demonstrating that they simply cannot be taken seriously. He stated the Bell Canada investment of more than $50-billion dollars will deliver enormous benefits for Saskatchewan.

“It means thousands of good-paying jobs, billions in economic activity and new tax revenue to support the schools, hospitals, roads and infrastructure Saskatchewan people depend on. It means bringing the company’s AI Fabric head office to Regina, putting over 100 more executive leadership jobs right here in Saskatchewan,” he said.

Harrison added the AI data centre will also strengthening the province’s Crown corporations, including SaskPower, with a significant new revenue stream and customer while providing unique partnerships and benefits to strengthen SaskTel.

“And it means building Canadian AI, computing and data capacity here at home, strengthening our data sovereignty and ensuring this critical infrastructure and investment doesn’t end up in the United States,” he said. “These are generational opportunities for our province. The NDP’s answer is to drive them away.”

Local interest

When paNOW contacted the City, they stated they have not received any related information in formal writing. However, the company that just recently bought the Prince Albert Pulp Mill has suggested they might be open to data centres on the property.

The Rural Municipality of Buckland Council is meeting on Friday and included with the agenda are questions related to AI data centres.

Late last month, council requested the planning department bring information regarding the status for the RM of Buckland. The department was also asked to bring a summary of Provincial and Federal laws and guidelines as they may apply to this issue.

The RM’s existing Zoning Bylaw does not specifically define or identify Data Centres as a permitted or discretionary land use. In the future, if the RM is approach for a Data Center, several section of the Zoning Bylaw would need to be amended.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

NDP question if Prince Albert on the list for an AI data centre

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