Bell plans expansion of Sask. AI data centre, making it largest private investment in province's history
Bell Canada is expanding its AI data centre in Saskatchewan to a 1.2-gigawatt facility with a $52 billion investment. While the government touts the project as a major economic and sovereignty-focused initiative, opposition parties have criticized the lack of public consultation.
Why it matters
Highlights the massive scale of infrastructure investment required for AI development and the political debate surrounding corporate-government partnerships.
At an investment summit in Toronto hosted by Prime Minister Mark Carney, Bell Canada CEO Mirko Bibic announced the controversial data centre will be expanded from the original 300-megawatt facility to one that would eventually need 1.2 gigawatts of power.
To achieve the expansion, the telecommunications giant would increase its investment in the so-called Bell AI Fabric to $52 billion.
With Premier Scott Moe standing next to him, Bibic offered praise to the Saskatchewan Party government for creating the investment environment in the province.
"I was asked three specific times in the last day and a half, 'Why did you choose Saskatchewan?'" Bibic told the crowd. "For me the answer was simple: it's because Saskatchewan is a great place to invest."
Moe compared the data centre to the construction of the railway across Canada to protect the nation's sovereignty. He stressed the need to protect the data of Canadians.
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