Vancouver and Kamloops are set to become the hub for a new cluster of data centers through a collaborative effort between the federal government and Telus. The initiative, announced by AI Minister Evan Solomon in Vancouver, aims to bolster Canada’s “sovereign compute capacity” and enhance local competitiveness in the global AI industry. The proposal includes expanding Telus’s current Kamloops facility and establishing two additional data centers in Vancouver as part of Ottawa’s Enabling large-scale sovereign AI data centers initiative.
Solomon emphasized the importance of building sovereign AI capacity within Canada to ensure that Canadian innovators, researchers, and businesses have access to necessary computational resources while safeguarding Canadian data, intellectual property, and economic interests. Telus disclosed that the Kamloops project and the first Vancouver facility, situated at the former Hootsuite headquarters in Mount Pleasant, are scheduled to launch later this year, with a second facility planned for 2029. The project will commence with an 85-megawatt power consumption, scaling up to 150 megawatts by 2032.
Telus’s President and CEO, Darren Entwistle, highlighted the eco-friendly aspect of the project, noting that the facilities will operate on 98% clean hydro power and recycle waste energy to heat 150,000 homes. Additionally, the data centers are projected to utilize 90% less water compared to traditional facilities, with plans in place to integrate recycled water from B.C. Place stadium. Entwistle underscored Telus’s commitment to position Canada as a leader in the AI revolution with a strong focus on technological prowess and climate stewardship.
The initiative garnered support from the B.C. government, which introduced its own AI data center power policy earlier this year. The policy outlines a competitive bid process for companies vying for a limited electricity capacity for the next two years, prioritizing projects that offer data sovereignty, environmental benefits, and First Nations involvement. Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth, Ravi Kahlon, commended the project for its thoughtful and environmentally conscious approach, signaling hope for communities seeking sustainable computational resources.
Despite receiving accolades from political leaders, the expansion of data centers in B.C. has stirred controversy. Plans to construct a new facility in Nanaimo faced opposition due to concerns over excessive water usage. B.C. Green Party Leader Emily Lowan criticized the government for adopting a “build-first regulate-later model” and called for a moratorium on new data center developments until stringent regulations and environmental policies are in place.
Lowan raised skepticism about Telus’s environmental assertions regarding the proposed data centers, emphasizing the need for comprehensive environmental impact assessments and transparent public discussions on private interest projects. The growing power demands of AI technology have heightened concerns about data center operations across North America, with communities grappling with the environmental implications of expanding tech infrastructure.
In conclusion, the collaborative effort between the federal government and Telus to establish a new data center cluster in Vancouver and Kamloops signifies a significant step towards enhancing Canada’s technological infrastructure while addressing environmental sustainability concerns.
