Public concerns mount over proposed Moose Jaw AI project

A proposed AI data centre in Moose Jaw is facing pushback, as residents raise concerns about its impact on a nearby park. Wayne Mantyka reports.

Moose Jaw residents love walking through the Wakamow Valley. Now, 6,000 people have signed a petition voicing concern about a proposed AI data centre to be built next door on the former Valley View Centre property.

“It’s primarily around the location initially,” Moose Jaw resident Jeff Deagle said. “It’s going to be a hyperscale data centre and it’s going to border the Wakamow Valley, the river, the whole green space, the walking paths and the ecological zone.”

The NDP Opposition is planning a large town hall meeting in Moose Jaw next month to hear public concerns.

“To do what the government should frankly be doing — hear the concerns from the community,” NDP Leader Carla Beck said. “We’re also going to talk to the community about what we are going to do as the Official Opposition to get the answers that people rightly deserve here in Moose Jaw on this project.”

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The proposed AI centre project is currently before Moose Jaw city council. It will also need an electricity agreement with SaskPower. That’s where the project may hit a roadblock.

Moose Jaw MLA Tim McLeod said while applications for AI data centres require significant amounts of electricity, the provincial government is not currently giving this proposal serious consideration.

“Applications for AI data centres obviously require a great deal of power and so through the ministry of CIC, that application would be processed but it’s my understanding that at this time. The provincial government is not seriously considering this particular application,” he said.

Saskatchewan has ample electricity but it is allocated carefully to larger projects. Factors considered may include the number of jobs created, location suitability and community support.

The government has not listed all the reasons why the Moose Jaw AI data centre proposal is not being considered seriously.