In Saskatchewan, a cluster of concerned landowners is grappling with uncertainty regarding Bell’s proposed artificial intelligence data centre, which is set to be located adjacent to their properties. The seven families, who have lived in the area for generations, have raised a series of queries about the project but have reported minimal responses from local authorities, leaving them anxious about potential impacts on their quality of life and property values.
Ongoing Concerns and Lack of Communication
The residents, led by Doug McKell—whose family has called the region home for nearly 150 years—express frustration over the perceived silence from the Rural Municipality (RM) of Sherwood. In a letter addressed to the council, the group articulated their discontent, stating that their concerns have been “deferred, reduced, or ignored” throughout the process. They are not outright opposing the initiative; instead, they are seeking assurances on how it may affect their environment and investments.
McKell highlighted the governance structures designed for community engagement, stating, “We have the governance system in place so that these kinds of concerns should be able to be handled through their regular process. And for them to ignore that and not deal with us in their normal fashion, everybody in the area is very frustrated with that.”
Formal Requests for Clarity
Between January and March 2026, the concerned families submitted four formal requests to the RM of Sherwood, seeking binding commitments on crucial issues such as noise levels, lighting, drainage, storm-water management, and groundwater protection. However, only the initial submission from January 29 was recorded publicly on the RM’s website, while subsequent requests went unanswered and unacknowledged.
The lack of engagement led the group to escalate their concerns, lodging a formal complaint with the Ombudsman on February 25. Following this, a council meeting agenda on March 16 indicated that the ethical implications of their complaint were deliberated. Just two days later, in an unexpected turn of events, four out of seven council members, including both the Reeve and Deputy-Reeve, resigned without explanation.
Changes in Council and New Developments
The RM of Sherwood underwent a significant reshuffle when the province’s Ministry of Government Relations appointed former SARM president Ray Orb as Reeve following the council vacancies. Alongside Orb, new council members Mitch Huber, Donna Strudwick, and Judy Harwood were brought in to fill the remaining positions.
On March 25, the group submitted another appeal urging the council to adopt formal resolutions with definitive binding conditions. A week later, on April 2, an executive summary of a development agreement was finally made publicly available, which appeared to acknowledge some of the landowners’ concerns. The document promised that sound levels at property boundaries would align with existing ambient conditions and that roadway enhancements would be funded by the developer. Notably, it also stipulated the use of lighting fixtures designed to mitigate glare.
However, McKell and his neighbours remain cautious. They emphasised that “a good faith process is not the same as a binding obligation,” insisting on enforceable commitments in the final development agreement.
A Step Towards Dialogue
On April 14, the group convened with the newly appointed council to articulate their concerns and advocate for binding conditions. Reports suggest that the meeting fostered an atmosphere of optimism, with the residents feeling that their voices were genuinely heard. They were also encouraged by the presentation made by Dan Rink, President of Bell AI Fabric.
Post-meeting, McKell expressed hope for future collaboration, stating, “I think moving forward, we’ll be able to work with this… I think they heard our issues and concerns, so that was positive.” Although no formal commitments were made during the discussion, the upcoming review of the development agreement on April 20 will be critical in determining the outcome of the landowners’ appeals.
Why it Matters
The situation in Sherwood exemplifies the vital balance between technological advancement and community welfare. As municipalities navigate the complexities of modern developments like data centres, the voices of local residents must not only be heard but genuinely considered. The outcome of this ongoing dialogue could set a precedent for future projects, reinforcing the importance of transparency and accountability in local governance, especially in areas where the potential for environmental impact is significant.
