Alberta technology minister met with jeers at first town hall on AI data centres
Alberta's technology minister faced significant public opposition during a town hall meeting regarding the development of new AI data centers. Local residents expressed concerns over the environmental impact, specifically regarding water and power consumption, and questioned the long-term economic benefits.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing tension between large-scale digital infrastructure projects and local community concerns over resource sustainability.
Nate Glubish was in the central Alberta community of Lacombe for the first in a series of town halls touting the windfall the mega-facilities could bring.
Dozens of people lined up to ask questions, but none who made it to the microphone before the event ended offered an endorsement.
There was also little trust in the Alberta government to regulate an industry poised to invest billions of dollars in the province to feed a growing global computing demand.
Craig Paterson, a lawyer based in Ponoka, told CBC News he was surprised by the turnout as he walked into the venue.
“I thought I could just walk right in. I am shocked to see the numbers here,” Paterson said, adding that he attended primarily to weigh the pros and cons.
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