AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today November 6, 2026
Bell Canada Receives Final Approval for Data Centre Expansion Near Regina
The Rural Municipality (RM) of Sherwood council has voted to approve zoning bylaw changes, giving Bell Canada the green light to proceed with the expansion of its AI data centre just outside Regina, Saskatchewan. The decision comes despite vocal opposition from a group of protesters concerned about Indigenous rights, environmental impact, and the transparency of the project.
Protester Concerns and Indigenous Voices
On the day of the vote, a small group gathered outside the RM office in Regina, joined by police and private security. Among the protesters was Dilynn Kehler, a member of the George Gordon First Nation and part of the group "No Data Centres on Treaty Land." Kehler stressed the importance of considering the impact of such developments on future generations, referencing treaty obligations and a lack of transparency from Bell Canada on key issues such as water usage and environmental impacts. She stated, "We have done Freedom of Information Act requests which have been blacked out. We haven't got any information about the water cooling system, where the water is coming from or where it's going." Kehler also accused Bell Canada of being secretive with George Gordon First Nation members.
Company Response and Project Details
Dan Rink, president of AI infrastructure and strategy at Bell Canada, addressed the council and protesters, attempting to dispel misconceptions regarding the location and management of the data centre. "This data centre is not on George Gordon reserve land," Rink explained, pointing out that the site is on private land that has been farmed for over 150 years. Rink also highlighted job opportunities created by the project and outlined a massive direct investment: "We continue to invest in this project upwards of $2 billion directly with our clients in total, over $12 billion being invested in the first phase alone and $50 billion in the expansion." Rink assured that Bell will pay for all water use and described water management as a "fully welded closed system," with no drainage off-site. He also detailed investments in noise reduction and community-friendly measures, including enclosures, sound abatement, berms, and setbacks.
Council Dynamics and Recent Appointments
Heightened security at the RM office meant only 15 individuals could enter council chambers at one time, a measure explained by Coun. Judy Harwood as necessary for safety. She recounted past disruptions during meetings, including noise and people entering the chambers, which she described as intimidating. Four council members, including Coun. Mitch Huber, were appointed by the provincial government just ten days before the initial approval of the data centre's development earlier this year. Huber maintained that the appointments were unrelated to the project, stating, "Never once have I been prompted or suggested that we had to do anything." The expansion has grown significantly in scale, from an initial 300-megawatt facility to the now-approved 1.2-gigawatt project.
Public Sentiment and Ongoing Questions
Protester Nicholas Fuzesy expressed strong opposition, alleging that Bell Canada chose the site to avoid regulation and public scrutiny. He argued, "I think their goal was to do it first and then convince people afterwards that it was a good idea." Meanwhile, Bell Canada has committed to making an environmental assessment available in a future expansion phase. No provincial representatives were available to answer questions at the time of the vote.
Next Steps
The RM of Sherwood is scheduled to hold an election for reeve and council positions on November 9. The outcome may have implications for local oversight of large infrastructure projects as Bell Canada's AI data centre expansion moves forward.
Source: cbc.ca.
