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Rainy weather did not deter people from turning out across Nova Scotia on Saturday to oppose the construction of AI data centres in the province.
The protests follow EverWind Fuels’ plan to build the first phase of a data centre in Point Tupper by next year to support American AI giant Anthropic’s chatbot, Claude.
The largest protest was in Halifax, where hundreds turned out in front of Province House, many bearing placards. About 200 people gathered in Kentville, roughly 150 in Port Hawkesbury and dozens assembled at Centre Square in Truro.
Speaking at the Halifax protest, Rowan Swain of the Ecology Action Centre said he is concerned that the province is being promised a future where corporate profits are prioritized.
“Nova Scotians deserve better than this,” Swain said. “There are options for this province that can grow our economy without sacrificing the health of our communities and our environment and our fresh water.”
Rain didn’t stop data centre protesters from turning out in Truro on Saturday. (Luke Ettinger/CBC)
Many of the placards highlighted concerns about the water and electricity needed to run data centres.
EverWind has said it intends to draw electricity from the provincial energy grid until onshore turbines are built. It holds approvals for the wind farms but has not yet started construction.
Sadie Beaton in Kentville is concerned that Mi’kmaw consent has not been given.
Beaton protested to ensure the responsibilities of the Peace and Friendship Treaties are upheld.
Benjamin Lauzon, one of the organizers of the Port Hawkesbury protest, said it is important to speak out when people see something wrong happening.
He wants Premier Tim Houston to convene an emergency session of the legislature to allow an open debate on the Point Tupper data centre.
“The MLAs have a duty to bring the public’s concerns to the legislative assembly,” Lauzon said. “Right now, it’s not a decision for him alone to make.”
EverWind, province respond
Earlier this week, EverWind held a public meeting in D’Escousse, a small coastal community in Cape Breton’s Richmond County, on the matter.
“There are concerns with projects such as this and what’s really important from our perspective is that there’s measures in place to ensure that we’re developing these projects responsibly and we’re developing them in line with the federal guidelines and we’re developing them in line with the provincial expectations,” said Mark Stewart, the company’s director of engagement.
There was also a public meeting held this week in Lower River Inhabitants.
In a statement, the province said that it accepts and expects that Nova Scotians have questions and concerns about the data centre. It also said the potential for a $10-billion investment is something to be open minded about.
“Our government has been clear that a data centre can only proceed if they can meet and exceed provincial and federal guidelines, which include protecting water, the environment, and power rates and capacity,” it said.
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