Full Breakdown
Bell Canada Proposes AI Data Centre Campus Near Regina
2/12/2026, 8:29:06 PM
Overview of the Proposal
Telecom giant Bell Canada has submitted plans to construct an artificial intelligence (AI) data centre campus south of Regina, Saskatchewan. The proposal involves rezoning approximately 160 acres (65 hectares) of land in the Rural Municipality of Sherwood from agricultural use to accommodate this development. The project is part of the Bell AI Fabric initiative, which aims to establish multiple AI facilities across Canada, including six in British Columbia.
Project Details and Phased Development
The proposed data centre campus is designed to serve as critical digital infrastructure for research, provincial AI enablement, and federal/protected industries. The application outlines plans for an initial 8,500-square-metre building, with construction expected to begin in 2026. The project will be executed in multiple phases and includes a potential research partnership with the University of Regina focused on sustainable greenhouse development utilizing heat generated by the data centres.
The campus is expected to create a significant number of high-skilled construction jobs, along with permanent technical and operational positions. The design will include a SaskPower substation to ensure adequate power supply and will feature "300 plus" parking stalls, indicating a potentially large workforce.
Support from Educational Institutions
The project has garnered support from local educational institutions. Dan MacKay, provost of Saskatchewan Polytechnic, endorsed the rezoning, emphasizing the project's significance for the province. Similarly, Chris Yost, vice-president of research at the University of Regina, highlighted the potential for advancing research and educational opportunities through the data centre's construction.
Community Concerns
Despite the support, some neighboring landowners have expressed concerns regarding the project's impact on water usage and noise pollution. Letters from these landowners, who rely on private wells, raised questions about the source of water for the data centre and its potential effects on local groundwater. The application indicates that water services will be provided through private cisterns, but specifics on consumption levels remain unclear.
David Meyer, an assistant professor of engineering at the University of Toronto, noted that while data centres can consume significant amounts of water, their usage should be contextualized against overall urban consumption. He pointed out that agriculture and urban human consumption typically account for more water usage than data centres.
Additionally, concerns about noise pollution and drainage have been raised, with landowners requesting property line noise limits due to the sensitivity of rural areas to sound disturbances.
Official Responses and Next Steps
The City of Regina has acknowledged the proposal and waived certain requirements for the rezoning application. Other agencies, including the Water Security Agency and SaskTel, did not raise concerns regarding the zoning changes. Bell Canada has not yet provided a public comment on the project.
As the project moves forward, the Rural Municipality of Sherwood will need to address the concerns raised by local residents while balancing the anticipated economic benefits of the AI data centre campus.
Verbatim Quotes
- "The significance of a project of this scale being developed in Saskatchewan should not be understated." — Dan MacKay, Provost of Saskatchewan Polytechnic
- "As landowners who depend on private wells, we notice the developer's letter is completely silent on water." — Adjacent and Area Landowners
- "It uses water differently, and the amount of water a data centre uses sounds like a very large amount." — David Meyer, Assistant Professor of Engineering at the University of Toronto
