Opponents of a proposed data centre want you to skip part of a popular Saint John summer festival. According to a report from Your Saint John, advocacy group Resist Data Centres NB is asking residents to boycott a Canadian rapper performance at the Moonlight Bazaar. The reason comes down to the stage sponsor. Texas based company VoltaGrid is sponsoring the Energy Stage.

The Controversy Behind the Sponsor

VoltaGrid and Calgary based Beacon AI want to build a two billion dollar hyperscale data centre at the Spruce Lake Industrial Park. Saint John council recently rezoned a 120 hectare piece of land for the park expansion. The project faces heavy public criticism. Residents worry about environmental damage, noise pollution, and the loss of old growth forest. The massive energy requirements also threaten to strain the provincial grid and increase your energy rates.

Activist Groups Speak Out

Group member Sarah Nelson says the boycott targets activities generating profit for Moonlight, not local vendors. “We support local business,” she said. “We don’t support an American company that wants to prey on the small community of Lorneville.” Nelson wants to send a clear message to the province that New Brunswick is not for sale. “The message that we want to send is that this development will be a parasite that does not benefit the local community in any way,” she added. “It doesn’t belong here.” Another group called Save Lorneville agrees. They released a statement calling VoltaGrid a deeply unfortunate choice of sponsor. They urge residents to skip the performance but ask everyone to act peacefully and respectfully.

Festival and Sponsor Responses

Moonlight Bazaar organizers declined an interview but provided a statement. They expressed sadness over the boycott plans. Organizers say community partners and sponsors make the event free every year. VoltaGrid president and CEO Nathan Ough also responded. He says boycotting the festival hurts local businesses more than his company. Ough believes Saint John needs this economic development to grow the tax base and create jobs. He says the company already has over 300 job applications from Saint John residents. “I’m doing everything I can to help move Saint John forward so that we can build a stronger long term economic future for our community,” Ough said.

Event Details

The Moonlight Bazaar brings together music, food, and art under a giant inflated moon. The event happens on July 18 in Uptown Saint John at the intersection of Grannan Lane and Canterbury Street from 4 p.m. to midnight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are people boycotting the Moonlight Bazaar?

Activist groups are boycotting the Energy Stage because it is sponsored by VoltaGrid. This company is proposing a controversial two billion dollar data centre in Saint John.

What are the concerns about the proposed data centre?

Residents are concerned about environmental impacts, noise pollution, the destruction of old growth forests, and massive energy demands that will increase local power rates.

When and where is the Moonlight Bazaar taking place?

The festival takes place on July 18 in Uptown Saint John at the intersection of Grannan Lane and Canterbury Street from 4 p.m. to midnight.