Bell Canada has revealed plans to enlarge its AI data center near Regina, making it the largest private investment in Saskatchewan’s history. The initial 300-megawatt facility will now be expanded to require 1.2 gigawatts of power, with a boosted investment of $52 billion in the Bell AI Fabric. CEO Mirko Bibic, during an investment summit in Toronto with Prime Minister Mark Carney, commended Saskatchewan for its favorable investment climate. This expansion is anticipated to generate around 500 permanent jobs, including 100 management roles, and an additional 3,000 jobs in security and maintenance sectors.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe likened the data center’s significance to the construction of the national railway, emphasizing the importance of securing Canadian data. Former prime ministers Jean Chretien and Stephen Harper were present at the announcement, along with Bibic and Moe. The Opposition NDP criticized the lack of public consultation on the expansion, questioning the power source and water requirements for the project. Bell Canada must self-supply power for the expansion, as it did for the original project.
The summit’s aim is to attract $1 trillion in investments amidst ongoing trade tensions with the United States.