A groundswell of concern is building across central Alberta as tech giant Meta moves forward with plans to construct Canada's first major data centre in Sturgeon County, north of Edmonton — and residents are making their voices heard.
The social media behemoth announced last month that it will build a massive one-gigawatt data centre facility in Morinville, sparking immediate opposition from community organizers and environmental advocates who worry about the project's strain on Alberta's already-stressed infrastructure.
What's Driving the Backlash?
Ben Baril, a 20-year-old community organizer, has mobilized dozens of residents to voice concerns about the $13-billion-plus investment. Baril argues the facility will place unprecedented pressure on Alberta's water supplies and electrical grid, while accelerating climate-related challenges for the province.
"This isn't just about one data centre," Baril told reporters during recent protests. "It's about the broader expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure across Canada — and who pays the real price."
Job displacement is another major concern fuelling the movement. Protesters argue that the race to automate through AI threatens employment opportunities across Alberta, even as Meta promises economic benefits through construction and operations.
What's the Government's Plan?
Premier Danielle Smith has expressed confidence in the project, noting that Alberta's grid operator will supply surplus energy to power the data centre until a dedicated natural gas-fired generating station — the Greenlight Electricity Centre — comes online in 2030.
The Greenlight plant is backed by Pembina Pipeline Corp., Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners, and Kineticor Asset Management. Meta has indicated the facility should be operational within two to three years.
"The expansion of AI infrastructure threatens jobs while pushing our energy and water systems to the breaking point," Baril said, capturing the sentiment driving opposition across the region.
The debate underscores a growing tension in Alberta between economic development opportunities and environmental stewardship — a conversation that will likely intensify as more major tech investments eye the province's available land and energy resources.
This story was originally reported by Global Calgary and adapted for WestNet News.