A group of seven families in Saskatchewan is grappling with frustration as they seek details regarding Bell’s proposed artificial intelligence data centre located near their homes. For months, these landowners have raised concerns about the potential impacts on their quality of life and property values, but their inquiries have largely gone unanswered by local authorities.
Discontent Growing Among Residents
The families, who have roots in the area for generations, have expressed their grievances in a letter addressed to the Rural Municipality (RM) of Sherwood. They stated, “At every stage of this process our concerns have been deferred, reduced, or ignored.” While they do not outright oppose the development, their apprehensions about noise, lighting, drainage, and other issues remain unresolved.
Doug McKell, whose family has inhabited the region for nearly 150 years, described the communication with the RM of Sherwood as akin to “pulling teeth.” He emphasised the importance of having a transparent governance system in place to address the community’s concerns effectively. “For them to ignore that and not deal with us in their normal fashion, everybody in the area is very frustrated with that,” McKell remarked.
Repeated Attempts for Engagement
Between January and March 2026, the group made four formal requests to the RM of Sherwood Administration and Council, seeking binding conditions for the project. These requests focused on critical aspects such as noise management, lighting, storm-water management, and groundwater protection. Notably, only their initial submission from January 29 was acknowledged in the public record, while subsequent requests were overlooked.
When the silence persisted, the residents escalated their concerns by filing a formal complaint with the Ombudsman on February 25, which was later discussed in a council meeting on March 16. Just two days after this meeting, four out of seven council members, including the Reeve and Deputy-Reeve, unexpectedly resigned, leaving the community in further uncertainty.
New Leadership, New Hope
In a swift move, the province’s Ministry of Government Relations appointed Ray Orb, a former president of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, as the new Reeve. Additional council members, including Mitch Huber, Donna Strudwick, and Judy Harwood, were also brought on board to fill the vacant positions.
On March 25, the concerned families submitted yet another letter requesting a formal resolution that would mandate the inclusion of specific binding conditions in the development agreement. A week later, the RM’s website featured an executive summary of the development agreement, which appeared to address some of the landowners’ concerns. It promised to maintain sound levels consistent with existing ambient conditions and to upgrade roadways at the developer’s expense, alongside commitments to utilise dark-sky-compliant lighting fixtures.
Despite these tentative assurances, McKell and his fellow residents assert that promises are not enough. They demand enforceable commitments with penalties for non-compliance, underlining the difference between good faith efforts and binding obligations. “A good faith process is not the same as a binding obligation,” their letter to the RM stated.
A Sense of Optimism Amid Uncertainty
On April 14, the residents had the opportunity to meet with the newly appointed RM council to discuss their concerns further. Reports from the meeting suggest a renewed sense of hope, as attendees felt the new councillors were genuinely listening to their issues. Dan Rink, President of Bell AI Fabric, was also present and contributed to a positive atmosphere during the discussions.
Following the meeting, McKell expressed cautious optimism, saying, “I think moving forward, we’ll be able to work with this… I think they heard our issues and concerns, so that was positive.” However, with no formal commitments made, the group remains in suspense about whether their demands for binding conditions will be realised when the development agreement is reviewed on April 20.
Why it Matters
The situation unfolding in Saskatchewan illustrates the complex dynamics between technological advancement and community interests. As the global demand for data centres surges, the need for responsible development practices that prioritise local concerns becomes increasingly vital. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for future developments, highlighting the necessity for transparency, community involvement, and enforceable commitments in the face of rapid technological change. The balance between progress and the preservation of community integrity is at stake, making this a critical issue for all involved.