If you live in Saint John, you know about the proposed artificial intelligence data centre. A community meeting about the project quickly turned heated Thursday night. Residents opposed to the development demanded answers from company officials.

The event took place at the Lorneville Community Centre. Alberta based Beacon Data Centres and Texas based VoltaGrid hosted the gathering. The venue reached capacity before the meeting even began. More than 300 people packed the room. Several people who could not get inside stood outside to listen.

Organizers initially planned a two hour session featuring one on one conversations with company representatives. That plan changed quickly. Residents took over an open microphone early in the evening to publicly reject the project.

You can read the original report from CTV News Atlantic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who hosted the community meeting?

Alberta based Beacon Data Centres and Texas based VoltaGrid hosted the event.

Where did the meeting take place?

The meeting happened at the Lorneville Community Centre in Saint John.

How many people attended?

More than 300 people attended the meeting. The venue reached full capacity and left several residents listening from outside.

What was the original format of the meeting?

Organizers planned for one on one conversations between residents and company representatives. Residents instead took over an open microphone to voice their opposition.