Nova Scotia NDP Leader Claudia Chender admitted a robotext the party sent out last week was rushed and missed the mark. The robotext message was sent out to Nova Scotians on Friday regarding the proposed AI data centre in Point Tupper. “Hi, this is Ned with the NSNDP,” the message reads. “Tim Houston wants to raise your power bills so his friends can build a data centre.” The message urged people to “Act now to stop him” and included a hyperlink directing individuals to an online petition on the NDP website relating to the data centre. The NDP issued a statement to CTV News from Chedner, who said the party is doing everything they can to get answers and information for Nova Scotians regarding the data centre plans. “We did also run a one-time text campaign and I think in the party’s haste to act quickly, a confusing message that wasn’t true to what we’ve been saying went out,” said Chender. The governing Progressive Conservatives called the robotext message misleading and disingenuous. “Factual information matters and that doesn’t hurt investment” said Minister of Natural Resources Tory Rushton. “But when information is being shared, that’s disingenuous that hurts investments. While Chender walked back the language used in the text message, she said it doesn’t change the fact that Nova Scotians have serious questions about the proposed data centre and its possible impacts on the environment, water supply and power rates. “People have very serious, valid questions,” said Chender. “They want to know how their fresh water, environment and communities will be impacted.” Those concerns were on display Saturday as several protests against the proposed EverWind data centre were held across the province, including one outside the legislature in Halifax. The proposed facility in Point Tupper could eventually require up to 420 megawatts of electricity when it reaches full capacity by 2028. The province says the project will have to meet certain regulatory requirements to operate. “It cannot harm the local water system,” said Rushton. “It also cannot impact any rates on industrial or residential units. It has to be neutral on to the power system.” Acadia University political science professor Alex Marland says political parties often use emotional language to get people’s attention but this message crossed a line and wasn’t backed by evidence. “It’s too alarmist and it’s too personalized,” said Marland. “And it’s too much, pushing the pale on what is actually the way things work in government.” The NDP also ran a letter writing campaign asking Nova Scotians to send their concerns to House Speaker Danielle Barkhouse, asking her to recall government to discuss the proposed data centre. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
