ALBERTA NDP CALLS FOR PAUSE ON AI DATA CENTRES

EDMONTON — After consulting with thousands of Albertans, Alberta's New Democrats are calling for an immediate pause on approvals for new AI data centre projects until a robust impact assessment framework, one Albertans can have confidence in, is in place.  

"The UCP government is not doing its job," said Naheed Nenshi, Leader of the Official Opposition. "Instead of consulting Albertans and carefully evaluating the impacts of AI data centres, it is rushing ahead with a plan that could leave Albertans paying the costs while foreign corporations benefit. As Mayor of Calgary, I attracted billions of dollars of investment and thousands of good jobs.  What the UCP is doing is not good for economic development; it actually puts jobs at risk."  

The Alberta NDP is calling on the government to use the pause to establish clear approval standards for any future AI data centre development. These standards include the need for community benefits including good jobs for Albertans, creating certainty for investors and residents, and ensuring benefits outweigh financial, social, and environmental costs. 

"If Danielle Smith wants to continue approving AI data centre projects, Albertans deserve confidence that every proposal is being evaluated against rigorous public-interest criteria, not rushed through behind closed doors for the benefit of foreign billionaires," said Nathan Ip, Alberta NDP Shadow Minister for Technology and Innovation.  

Alberta's New Democrats are calling on the government to require that all future projects: 

• Must have community benefit, including permanent jobs for Albertans 

• Must be on the right land zoned for proper use with setbacks from homes 

• Must minimize the use of fresh water 

• Must not increase utility prices and must mitigate emissions  

• Must have full lifecycle plans including end-of-life reclamation 

• Must respect people's privacy and contribute to Canada’s data sovereignty 

• Must include meaningful consultation with nearby residences and businesses 

"We're not saying no to investment; we're saying Alberta needs a plan that puts Albertans first," said Ip. "If a project can't show it protects affordability, safeguards public resources, and delivers clear public benefits, it shouldn't be approved." 

More information, including a copy of the Alberta NDP AI Data Centre Blueprint, can be found at AlbertaNDPCaucus.ca/AIdatacentres. 

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