A group of seven families residing near the proposed site for Bell’s AI data centre in Saskatchewan is growing increasingly frustrated with a lack of communication from local authorities. Their ongoing quest for answers has highlighted broader concerns regarding the project’s potential impact on their quality of life and property values.
Residents Voice Concerns to Local Council
The concerned families, situated adjacent to the site in the Rural Municipality (RM) of Sherwood, have expressed their anxieties in a letter to the council, stating, “At every stage of this process, our concerns have been deferred, reduced, or ignored.” While they are not outright opposing the initiative, they are keen to understand how it will influence their daily lives and property worth.
Doug McKell, whose family has settled in the area for nearly 150 years, described the experience of seeking clarity from the council as “like pulling teeth.” He emphasised that the existing governance structures should facilitate their concerns being addressed, adding, “For them to ignore that and not deal with us in their normal fashion is very frustrating for everyone in the area.”
Attempts at Communication Fall Flat
Between January and March of 2026, the families submitted four formal requests to the RM of Sherwood, each outlining specific concerns regarding noise, lighting, drainage, storm-water management, groundwater protection, and roadway management. The first of these submissions, made on January 29, was the only one to be recorded publicly on the RM’s website. Subsequent requests went unacknowledged.
In light of the silence, McKell and the group lodged a formal complaint with the Ombudsman on February 25. A council meeting on March 16 revealed that the matter, along with the Ombudsman complaint, was discussed. Shortly after, on March 18, four council members, including the Reeve and Deputy-Reeve, unexpectedly resigned, leaving the RM in a state of uncertainty.
New Council Dynamics and Potential Solutions
On April 10, the province’s Ministry of Government Relations appointed former SARM president Ray Orb as the new Reeve, alongside Mitch Huber, Donna Strudwick, and Judy Harwood to fill the vacant positions. This reshuffle has provided a glimmer of hope for the concerned residents.
On March 25, the families submitted yet another letter to the RM, seeking formal resolutions that would include specific binding conditions. They requested a response within a week. By April 2, an executive summary for a development agreement was posted online, which seemed to align with some of the landowners’ concerns. It promised to maintain sound levels at property boundaries consistent with existing conditions and assured that roadway upgrades would be at the developer’s expense. However, residents remain sceptical, insisting that such commitments need to be legally binding rather than merely good faith assurances.
Meeting of Minds: A Step Forward?
On April 14, the residents met with the newly appointed council to discuss their grievances and advocate for enforceable conditions. Reports from the meeting suggested a positive atmosphere, with attendees feeling that their concerns were genuinely heard. Doug McKell remarked, “I think moving forward, we’ll be able to work with this… they heard our issues and concerns, so that was positive.” However, no formal commitments were made, and the final development agreement is scheduled for review on April 20.
Why it Matters
The ongoing dialogue between Saskatchewan landowners and local authorities over the Bell AI data centre encapsulates the delicate balance between technological advancement and community well-being. As the province navigates the integration of cutting-edge projects, the need for transparent communication and binding commitments becomes increasingly paramount. The outcome of this situation could set a precedent for how similar developments are managed in the future, underscoring the importance of stakeholder engagement in the face of rapid change.
