The Saskatchewan NDP is accusing the government of being less than transparent on the topic of the AI data centre set to be built on Regina’s outskirts.

Bell Canada is set to construct Canada’s largest data centre on a 160-acre plot of land in the rural municipality of Sherwood, just south of Regina’s Sask. Polytech campus. The facility, which will cost approximately $1.7 billion to construct, represents a $12 billion total investment into the province.

“We know data centres are part of the future. We know that they could represent a major economic opportunity for Saskatchewan. But with projects of this scale, public trust matters, and right now, that trust is being undermined by a lack of transparency from this government,” NDP MLA Aleana Young told reporters Friday.

Among the opposition’s most burning questions is why the project wasn’t subject to an environmental assessment.

“This data centre comes with serious environmental questions as well, and our colleague environment shadow minister Jared Clarke, sent a letter to Minister Rowden this morning asking why this project wasn’t subject to the routine environmental impact assessment,” Young said, adding that her party has received some details regarding the project from Bell Canada.

In a statement issued Friday evening, the provincial government said any company proposing a project is required to review the Ministry of Environment’s “self-assessment checklist” to determine if an environment assessment is required.

“The Ministry of Environment has been engaged with Bell Canada for several months and will continue to work with the company as the project progresses,” the statement read. “Since the Government of Saskatchewan is not the project proponent, further questions should be directed to Bell Canada.”

The Saskatchewan NDP is asking residents who have questions or concerns surrounding the project to contact TransparencyNow@ndpcaucus.sk.ca. The party also plans to hold an open house on the topic on Wednesday, April 22 at Glen Elm library from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

While speaking to reporters on Thursday, Premier Scott Moe was asked if he had a message to those who feel uncertain or uncomfortable with the prospect of an AI data centre operating in their vicinity.

He argued many of the concerns have simple answers, while highlighting the economic advantage of the project.

“If there’s questions, I think there’s pretty straightforward answers to those questions as well, whether it be water usage, whether it be potential noise,” the premier noted.

“But there’s also, I think, other information that we need to take into account is the number of jobs, careers really, that are going to be associated with this investment and many of the other investments across the province, as well.”

Planning documents published earlier this month revealed the intended layout for the facility, along with preventative measures that will be taken to manage noise, light, and air pollution.

According to the documents, the facility will utilize air-cooled, closed-loop chilling technology – that “does not consume or evaporate water to reject heat to the atmosphere.” Once the system is filled during commissioning, it will remain entirely sealed. As a result, the facility’s water connection to the municipality will be sized to support “standard domestic use and essential fire protection requirements.”

“So the closed loop system is quite environmentally friendly, and it should not affect the water supply of surrounding communities. This is the information that we’ve received from Bell Canada, and we’re going to take them at their word,” NDP MLA Brittney Senger noted during Friday’s press conference.

The project is expected to support more than 800 jobs during construction, with 80 full-time positions being created once the campus is up and running. Construction is scheduled to start this spring, with the facility coming online in stages, beginning in the first half of 2027.

“This data centre, as I said, is one of the three largest investments in the country,” Moe added. “Data sovereignty is something that matters to all of us … So, fair questions, but I hope everyone is able to engage in the answers as well.”