FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nathan Ip, Shadow Minister for Technology and Innovation and Rakhi Pancholi, MLA for Edmonton-Whitemud and Deputy Leader of Alberta’s NDP, issued the following statement:
ST. ALBERT–Hundreds of St. Albert and area residents joined Alberta’s New Democrat Caucus members Tuesday night to share their concerns about the AI data centres that Danielle Smith and the UCP are approving without consultation or environmental assessments.
“Danielle Smith and the UCP aren’t doing their jobs, they are not listening to Albertans – so we’re doing it,” said Rakhi Pancholi, Deputy Leader of Alberta’s New Democrats. “The Alberta NDP supports investment and good jobs, but major projects must be in the public interest, transparent, and supported by communities.”
During last night’s session, residents said they’ve been caught flat-footed by these AI Data centres because they were not consulted by the UCP. They want to know what regulatory processes are in place. Many had questions about financial benefits and liabilities, and the number of jobs that will be created once construction is done. Many residents had concerns about land use, water, and increases in power bills for families.
“People are understandably worried about the impacts of these massive projects,” said Alberta NDP Shadow Minister for Technology and Innovation, Nathan Ip. “Consultation with affected communities must be part of the approval process and that is how an NDP government will address major projects like AI data centres.”
Alberta’s NDP will take the information gathered during this month’s listening tour to develop our AI Data centre plan.
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