The Saskatchewan NDP are demanding a moratorium on the construction of hyperscale AI data centres in Saskatchewan.

The official opposition says the moratorium should remain in place until a proper process for assessing the projects and their impact is implemented and robust public consultation occurs.

It was announced yesterday that the size and scope of the Bell AI data Centre near Regina is going to quadruple in size which the NDP describes as a unilateral decision which lacked public consultation. It also suggests the provincial government failed to consult on another AI project planned in Moose Jaw – that may now be paused – as well as a third near Saskatoon.

The NDP contends public consultation must take place for projects that will have a major potential impact on the power grid and water supply.