This is Vanese Ferguson with Coffee Talk. According to a new survey from Angus Reid Institute 64 per cent of people polled in Alberta and 70 per cent in Saskatchewan say AI data centre development should be limited. The non profit also says fewer than one in five would encourage more investment in AI data centres. Half – 51 per cent – cite high water use, 38 per cent worry about higher electricity costs for households and businesses and a third say the benefits would flow mainly to large technology companies rather than local communities. So why doesn’t the government seem to be able to understand that the population doesn’t like the way its being handled. What is in it for the Saskatchewan government – a pat on the back in the future if they can say its adding money to government coffers? How is that going to happen – taxes? Fees for using our natural resources? Are there any restrictions on how much of our natural resources they can use. There has to be more than job promises for this to be attractive.
AI data centres seemingly not a people pleaser
By Vanese M. Ferguson
Oct 7, 2026 | 9:26 AM
Saskatoon Weather
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