In a contentious meeting that felt at times like a battleground, the RM of Sherwood council approved the development agreement for Bell’s ambitious 300-megawatt AI Data Centre on Monday evening. Despite a surge of protests outside, the council concluded the session in under an hour, showcasing a whirlwind of emotions and tensions.
Protests Outside Council Chambers
The atmosphere was electric as nearly 100 demonstrators gathered outside the public office, brandishing signs and chanting slogans against the proposed development. Their voices echoed through the windows, frequently drowning out the proceedings inside. Heavy machinery was already at work on the site earlier that day, shifting large amounts of dirt, signalling the urgency of the project.
Due to limited seating, the council meeting was restricted primarily to registered delegates and a handful of media personnel. Nevertheless, the protests outside made their presence felt, leading council members to request police assistance shortly after the meeting commenced, citing the disruptive noise levels.
Key Presentations and Contentions
Dan Rink, President of Bell Fabric AI, initiated the discussion with a presentation outlining the economic advantages of the Data Centre, including research opportunities and strategies aimed at mitigating impacts on local communities. However, his speech was repeatedly interrupted by protesters banging on the door and complaints regarding audio issues with the Microsoft Teams livestream.
Once the technical difficulties were resolved, Rink continued, assuring attendees that the Data Centre’s cooling system would not utilise municipal water resources. He also addressed concerns raised by local residents regarding light and noise pollution, clarifying that the project had not triggered the formal environmental impact assessment process—a point recently scrutinised by the provincial NDP.
Local Landowners Voice Concerns
Next to speak was Doug McKell, representing concerned landowners adjacent to the construction site. He confirmed that while the group supported the Data Centre, they had submitted 42 questions to both the council and Bell. Of these, 20 had been addressed, while two remained unresolved. McKell urged the inclusion of additional wells in Bell’s baseline well-water monitoring programme, emphasising the shared aquifer among local properties.
In a post-meeting interview, Rink committed to addressing the remaining concerns, stating, “We will find the methodology that makes everyone feel satisfied that there won’t be sound beyond the property line.”
As tensions mounted, two delegates who had registered to speak raised further concerns but were denied the opportunity after failing to submit their requests formally. This prompted an emotional outburst from one of them, who accused the council of rushing the approval process and disregarding public sentiment.
Approval Granted Amidst Tensions
Despite the palpable tension, council members quickly moved to assess the development agreement. When asked if all parties were satisfied with the presented agreement, no objections were raised, leading to a swift vote in favour of approval.
As the meeting concluded, a group of concerned landowners faced jeers from protesters outside, with accusations of financial gain being hurled at them—a claim McKell vehemently denied.
After the meeting, Rink expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “We’re building an ecosystem for AI adoption in Canada in partnership with government, First Nations, and universities across the country, including here in Saskatchewan.”
Notably, the rezoning application for the project was approved within just 21 days, while the development agreement took a mere 19 days—an exceptionally fast process, according to municipal politics experts.
Why it Matters
The approval of Bell’s Data Centre is a significant step in advancing AI infrastructure in Canada, promising economic growth and job creation. However, the vibrant protests highlight the ongoing tension between rapid development and community concerns, particularly regarding environmental impacts and local governance. As the project progresses, it will be crucial for Bell to engage transparently with local stakeholders to foster trust and ensure that community voices are heard in the face of such transformative developments.
