Canadian Provinces Launch New Frameworks for Data Centre Growth

The Government of Saskatchewan is currently reviewing 30 data centre applications under a new six-point framework that prioritizes Canadian ownership, data sovereignty, and local employment. Minister Jeremy Harrison stated the province is open to more facilities provided developers secure their own power supplies to avoid straining the electrical grid, a strategy similar to Alberta's model of pairing centres with natural gas producers.

In Saskatchewan, BCE Inc. is constructing a 300-megawatt AI data centre in Sherwood for a 2027 launch, while Aztec AI Health has proposed a 150-megawatt healthcare project in Moose Jaw. Although Amazon Web Services Canada Inc. has lobbied the province, officials confirmed no formal proposal has been submitted. Municipalities in Regina and Saskatoon are responding by developing zoning bylaws and conducting impact assessments.

Simultaneously, the Government of New Brunswick has released a draft policy framework for data centre development and is seeking public feedback until October 2. The policy aims to minimize environmental impacts and prevent electricity cost spikes for ratepayers while supporting domestic artificial intelligence goals. This initiative coincides with the regulatory review of the Spruce Lake AI Hub, a proposed 390-megawatt facility pitched by Beacon Data Centres and VotaGrid for a site west of Saint John.