Continuing story · 1 report
Bell's proposed AI data centre expansion near Regina
Developing
Where it stands
Construction is underway on Bell’s original site south of Regina, and Bell plans to expand the AI data-centre campus fourfold. Standing Buffalo First Nation is seeking evidence the project will not harm the environment, while Carry the Kettle First Nation says it was not consulted and wants development paused for an environmental assessment and Treaty-related review; the rezoning process remains unresolved in the report.
Story trackerDay 7
1 report22 outlets36 sources5 videos
The story so far
Update 1
First Nations demand a pause as Bell plans fourfold AI campus expansion
Four building shells are already rising south of Regina. Two First Nations want environmental evidence and Treaty-based engagement before Bell’s proposed AI campus grows much larger.
History
Opened1 report
Who's involved
People
- Mirko BibicCanadian businessman1 report
Organizations
Bell CanadaCanadian telecommunications and media company1 report- Carry the Kettle Nakoda NationNative American tribal organization in Saskatchewan1 report
- Standing Buffalo Dakota First NationFirst Nation band in Saskatchewan, Canada1 report
Places
- Carry The Kettle Nakoda First Nation Ir 76-37Carry The Kettle Nakoda First Nation Ir 76-37, SK S0L 3H0, Canada1 report
- Rural Municipality of Sherwood No. 1594400 Campbell St, Regina, SK S4W 0L3, Canada1 report
- Standing Buffalo Dakota First Nation Reserve Band OfficeStanding Buffalo I.r. 78, SK S0G 1S0, Canada1 report
Every outlet we read on this story
36 sources22 outlets5 videos
cbc.ca4
- Bell Canada plans to purchase 895 acres to expand AI data centre outside Regina | CBC News
- Bell Canada to begin construction on Canada's largest AI data centre near Regina this spring | CBC News
- These 2 First Nations are pushing back against Sask. AI data centre
- Bell AI data centre expansion raises questions over power, water and local impact | CBC News
Global News33 videos
Government of Saskatchewansaskatchewan.ca3
CTV News22 videos
MBC Radiombcradio.com2First
Prime Minister of Canadagc.ca2
- Dear Minister, I am writing to formally request that the proposed Bell Canada AI Data Centre in the Rural Municipality of Sherwood, Saskatchewan, be designated for federal impact assessment pursuant to Section 9(1) of the Impact Assessment Act, SC 2019, c 28, s 1 (“IAA”). On May 4, 2026, I submitted a formal designation request to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (“IAAC”). On May 15, 2026, the Prairie and Northern Region of IAAC advised that designation requests must be submitted directly to the Minister with copies provided to IAAC. This correspondence constitutes that formal request. The proposed project is a 300-megawatt, 90K-square-foot industrial AI data centre to be constructed on approximately 160 acres of agricultural land in the RM of Sherwood, Saskatchewan. This will allegedly be the largest AI data centre development in Canada. Living within a 9 km radius of this massive structure, and researching the impacts other similar data centres have had in their communities, this project raises substantial concerns within federal jurisdiction, including potential impacts on fish habitat and groundwater systems, migratory birds, Indigenous rights and consultation obligations, and Canada’s climate commitments. To my knowledge, there has been no independent provincial or federal environmental assessment has been publicly disclosed, despite the scale and significance of the development. I’m not sure how a proper environmental assessment could have possibly been done in the 21 days from announcement to approval of the project. Further, construction equipment was onsight and the digging began April 21, 2026. The pre-testing activities were commenced on site prior to approval, including assessments related to piling depth and aquifer penetration? The RM of Sherwood map shows that there are pipelines running through the property and the Enbridge Alberta Clipper is close by. That’s intrinsically safe with all the heavy duty equipment there?
- Bell AI Fabric Data Centre Project - Canada.ca
SaskToday.casasktoday.ca2
620 CKRM - The Voice of Saskatchewan | Harvard Media620ckrm.com1
- First reported
- Bell’s massive AI expansion heads back to Sherwood council
Canada News Mediacanadanewsmedia.ca1
- First reported
- Two First Nations press Bell on Sask. AI data centre
Connect CRE Canadaconnectcre.ca1
- First reported
- New Plans Reveal Bell's 895-Acre Saskatchewan Land Buy
CTVNewsctvnews.ca1
- First reported
- RM weighs rezoning for Bell AI data centre expansion
Eagle Feather Newseaglefeathernews.com1
leaderpost.com1
Muggleheadmugglehead.com1
- First reported
- BCE Inc's Bell Canada lines up 895 acres near Regina
sec.gov1
The News92thenews92.com1
Yahoo Newsyahoo.com1
Who reported what
24 points0 confirmed by two or more outlets20 from a single outlet0 disputed
What 2 outlets reported about this story, point by point, and who reported each point first.
Points more than one outlet reported
Each column is an outlet, in the order they first reported. Select a mark to read that outlet's wording.
- Reported it first
- Reported it
- Repeated another outlet
- Did not report it
| Point | CTV News | Global News | Outlets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council advances the rezoning proposalNot independently confirmed | 2 | ||
| Number of additional data centre buildingsNot independently confirmed | 2 | ||
| Proposed expansion campus footprintNot independently confirmed | 2 | ||
| Proposed construction scheduleNot independently confirmed | 2 |
Points only one outlet reported
Only reported by CTV News
Only reported by Global News
Each line is the claim as we recorded it from that outlet's report. Compared as of .