Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the New Brunswick legislature ahead of Tuesday Throne Speech. They voiced strong opposition to several proposed industrial projects, including a controversial AI data centre planned for Saint John. According to a report from CTV News, roughly 300 people showed up to challenge Premier Susan Holt and her government on environmental and economic priorities.

Saint John AI Data Centre Faces Backlash

If you live in Saint John, the proposed AI data centre inside Spruce Lake Industrial Park directly impacts your community. The project drew significant attention from the crowd. Alberta based Beacon Data Centres and US based Voltagrid are pitching the facility. Ashley Anthony from the Save Lorneville group spoke directly with Premier Holt before she entered the legislature. Anthony dismissed claims that the project supports Canadian digital sovereignty.

“This isn’t about Canadian digital sovereignty,” Anthony said. “This is an American company. These are going to be American tenants. This is just propaganda that they’re trying to feed you to try and give you a false sense of security to make you feel this is economically viable, when it’s not.”

Premier Holt outlined her government’s ongoing development of a policy framework for such facilities. She stated the project must meet specific thresholds to proceed.

“I need to see answers to the answers we laid out in the draft policy,” Holt said. “Can they do it without impact on water? Can they do it without impact on energy rates? Can they do it with a positive benefit on the community? And if they cannot, then they haven’t met our threshold that the project would need to have to be able to go forward.”

Fracking Review and Natural Gas Projects

Beyond the data centre, protesters targeted the Sisson Mine project, a natural gas power plant in Tantramar, and the government’s review of the 12 year old hydraulic fracturing moratorium. Dr. Chris Arseneault, a Fredericton family physician, attended the rally and criticized the province’s ability to evaluate the health impacts of fracking.

“They’re not studying it, they don’t have the capacity to study it,” Dr. Arseneault said. “The department of health has been gutted systemically over the last 15 years. It does not have the capacity to do health impact assessments.”

The public survey portion of the province’s fracking review closes this Friday. The government expects to release a final report in January.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Spruce Lake AI data centre project?

It is a proposed data centre in Saint John pitched by Beacon Data Centres and Voltagrid. Local groups oppose it due to concerns over water usage, energy rates, and a lack of local economic benefits.

What is Premier Susan Holt’s stance on the data centre?

Premier Holt states the project will not go forward unless it proves it will not negatively impact water resources or energy rates and provides a positive benefit to the community.

Why are people protesting the fracking review?

Demonstrators and health professionals argue the province lacks the resources and capacity to properly study the health and environmental impacts of lifting the 12 year fracking moratorium.

When does the fracking public survey end?

The deadline to participate in the public survey for the natural gas development review is this Friday, with a final report expected in January.