Two-thirds of Canadians oppose large data centre expansion; water use tops concerns

Two-thirds of Canadians want their provincial governments to limit large data centre development, citing concerns over water consumption, rising electricity costs, and technology companies capturing most benefits, a new survey reveals.

The Angus Reid Institute survey of 4,417 respondents, conducted October 7, found 64 percent of Canadians favour limits on data centre expansion, while just 18 percent would encourage more development. Opposition is consistent across provinces: 70 percent in Saskatchewan, 64 percent in Alberta, 72 percent in Manitoba, and 72 percent in Atlantic Canada say development should be restricted.

Among those opposing expansion, 51 percent cite high water use as the primary concern, 38 percent worry about rising electricity costs for households and businesses, and 34 percent say benefits would flow mainly to large technology companies rather than local communities.

Those backing development emphasize different priorities: 47 percent point to new investment and economic growth, 33 percent cite strengthening Canada's competitiveness in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and 30 percent highlight job creation.

The survey arrives as major data centre projects advance across the country. Bell is proposing a Saskatchewan expansion adding 900 megawatts of capacity to create a 1.2-gigawatt AI infrastructure hub representing up to $52.5 billion in investment. Meta has begun work on a $13-billion data-centre campus north of Edmonton with one-gigawatt capacity, paired with a dedicated natural-gas power plant.

In early October, the federal government introduced national data centre principles, including that "new data centres should not shift electricity costs onto households and businesses" and "should minimize freshwater use and other environmental impacts."

Separately, the survey found 28 percent of Canadians describe AI as a force for good in society, essentially flat from 29 percent in November 2025. Quebec stands apart: 46 percent there call AI beneficial, while 42 percent disagree.