HALIFAX — The leader of Nova Scotia’s official Opposition is calling on Premier Tim Houston to recall the legislature for an emergency debate about a proposed multi-billion dollar data centre in Cape Breton. Claudia Chender wrote to Houston this morning saying his government has embraced the development of data centres for artificial intelligence without public input or establishing regulations. A company pursuing a wind and hydrogen development in Nova Scotia announced Friday it has plans for a $10-billion AI data centre in Point Tupper, N.S., that it describes as the largest private investment in provincial history. EverWind Fuels said U.S. AI company Anthropic has signed a 20-year lease for a 18,600-square metre facility that would draw 95 megawatts of electricity during its first phase. Chender says there are tough questions about this project that need to be answered, particularly around water use, impact on community and electricity consumption. The premier said last week, before the AI data centre project was announced, that any AI data centre would have to meet or exceed the federal standards for responsible data centre development. Late last month, Houston took to social media to share his “conditions” for a company that wants to build a major data centre in Nova Scotia. His post says a proposed data centre must include closed-loop cooling and strict standards around water use, noise and emissions, deliver benefits to residents and a financial return, and it cannot increase power rates for Nova Scotians. Chender says the premier is proposing non-binding guidelines and she’s calling on the government to debate and adopt new rules in the legislature. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2026. The Canadian Press
