This is Vanese Ferguson with Coffee Talk. I don’t think any movement should take place regarding AI data centres in the province without public consultation including full background and research on the impact of said AI data centres. Do I think it is any surprise that there is one contemplated for the Saskatoon area – in the vicinity of the South Saskatchewan River? Hardly a coincidence. And obviously there is some dissension between the government and say, SaskPower, which purportedly nixed the idea for Moose Jaw because of the expected draw down on the power grid. We’re talking SaskPower which has been under the microscope over costs to upgrade infrastructure which has led to a 3.9 per cent increase instigated this summer adding about $5 per month for residential customers and $11 per month for farm customers. The Saskatchewan rate review panel deferred its decision on the proposed 2027 increase pending updated financial data, but I don’t know if that’s worth the paper it’s written on in light of the government stepping over top of the rate review panel and implementing the hike before it was reviewed. So now we’re going to add AI data centres into the mix. I think the government has a duty to put all information all the cards on the table and let people in impacted areas decide.
More public consultation needed for AI data centres
By Vanese M. Ferguson
Sep 21, 2026 | 10:10 AM

























