Neighbouring First Nation's members divided on Bell AI data centre expansion | CBC News

$50B development promises jobs and economic growth, but members remain wary of impacts, consultation

Bell Canada announced plans this week to quadruple the scale and capacity of an AI data centre being built near Regina, bordering land owned by the George Gordon First Nation (GGFN).

The nation's chief, the province and the company are promoting the benefits the project will bring, but some GGFN members aren't convinced.

GGFN has partnered with Bell and the government on the massive project, which is scheduled to become operational next year. Bell says it will generate $12 billion of economic revenue for Saskatchewan.

GGFN Chief Shawn Longman said the expansion is a catalyst for broader development that could generate revenue, employment and economic capacity for his nation.

“They kind of gave us that foot in the door to be able to have that partnership for development," Longman said. "Having access to this vital infrastructure that's going to allow us to also develop the land on our side of the street.”

That could include much-needed roads, water, sewage, power and other infrastructure, he said.

Longman said the project also has potential to improve access to health care and education.

“I look at it as an opportunity for us to have distance education, to have maybe satellite universities where our band members can still live on the reserve,” he said.

Longman said the GGFN's relationship with Bell has been constructive so far.

“They’ve shown us very good faith and openness … and wanting to work with First Nation people,” he said. “We don’t often see that.”

“I think there should have been, in the beginning, more opportunity to negotiate and more opportunity to sit down and receive advance notice,” he said.