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Tech · Victoria

B.C. Greens say communities must have a say on whether AI data centres get built

Leader Emily Lowan said NDP water rules don't let communities say no before projects are approved.

By West Coast News staff ·
The B.C. Parliament Buildings in Victoria
The B.C. Parliament Buildings in Victoria.

B.C. Green Leader Emily Lowan said on Sunday that NDP policies on AI data centres do not go far enough and that communities must "have a say" in whether they get built at all, The Canadian Press reported.

NDP Leader David Eby on Saturday issued data centre policies including water-efficiency standards, mandatory reporting of water consumption and community engagement on drought planning, while keeping BC Hydro's limits on power for the projects.

Eby's "new water rules will tell communities how much water a data centre uses after it's built but won't say if they can say no to a data centre before it's approved," Lowan said. The Greens have pledged to halt construction and operation of AI data centres until a public-interest audit and regulatory regime are in place.

Telus has said its planned data centres in Vancouver and Kamloops would draw 150 megawatts by 2032. The election is Oct. 24.

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