Overview

We are living in a time of seemingly constant disruption. Whether as a result of geopolitical tensions, societal challenges, or the rapid pace of technological innovation, many organizations are navigating through an unexpectedly tumultuous business environment. In the face of adversity, GLJ seeks to highlight opportunity.

Western Canada is ideally positioned to capitalize on a generational transformation. AI (Artificial Intelligence) and machine learning are enabling advancements across all sectors. Data centres provide the foundational infrastructure for this momentum. The potential for associated revenue growth, employment opportunities and economic diversification can fuel future prosperity across sectors and society. Our region and our industries need strategies to position themselves to align with this emerging market.

Originally presented:
April 2, 2025

This webinar has been preserved as part of GLJ’s Knowledge Hub to make the insights shared by our experts available as an ongoing technical resource. While the event has concluded, the recording, presentation materials, and transcript remain available for reference.

What You’ll Learn

  • The business ecosystem for a robust technology industry
  • The scale and pace of adoption and development
  • The natural resources needed for data centre operations

Watch On Demand

Key Takeaways

Canada is positioned as a strategic hub for sustainable data centres

Canada’s sustainable data centre opportunity is strengthened by abundant land, a cool climate, renewable and low carbon electricity, water management expertise, skilled labour, and supportive AI infrastructure policy, making the country a competitive destination for AI data centres, cloud computing infrastructure, and hyperscale development.

Reliable low-carbon power is the critical enabler for AI and hyperscale growth

Rapid growth in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud services, and big data processing is driving major electricity demand, creating a need for secure, affordable, low-carbon baseload power such as natural gas generation paired with carbon capture and storage (CCS or CCUS).

Western Canada and Alberta offer a differentiated AI energy nexus

Alberta’s deregulated electricity market, natural gas resources, CCS hubs, energy-only power market, data centre concierge program, and growing project pipeline create a strong AI energy nexus where sustainable data centres can connect energy development, emissions management, and economic diversification.

Data centres can unlock Canadian economic growth and resource value

Sustainable data centre development can create high-paying technology and energy jobs, increase domestic demand for Canadian natural gas and critical minerals, support Indigenous participation and economic reconciliation, and move Canada up the value chain from raw resource extraction to AI-powered digital infrastructure and services.

Resources

FAQ

Alberta has established processes for surface access, site selection, and regulatory approvals. The province’s Data Centre Concierge Program helps developers navigate permitting more efficiently without eliminating environmental reviews, community engagement, or existing regulatory requirements. GLJ also advises companies entering Alberta on regulatory expectations, stakeholder engagement, and jurisdiction-specific planning.

Large hyperscale data centres are actively reducing water consumption through technologies such as closed-loop cooling systems and improved cooling fluids. Companies like Microsoft have publicly committed to becoming water positive by 2030. Canada also benefits from strong water management expertise and comparatively abundant freshwater resources, making it an attractive location for sustainable data centre development.

Fibre connectivity is an important consideration, but it is one of the easiest and least expensive infrastructure components to build compared with securing land, power, and other project requirements. Network infrastructure can typically be expanded to support otherwise suitable data centre sites.

Canada remains highly competitive because of its abundant land, cool climate, reliable water resources, low-cost natural gas, stable electricity generation, favourable exchange rates, and relatively tariff-free access to construction materials. Major hyperscale companies are voluntarily pursuing low-carbon electricity through technologies like natural gas with carbon capture because of their own corporate climate commitments, regardless of government regulations. Even if compliance carbon markets change, voluntary carbon markets are expected to remain available.

Many Indigenous communities view data centres as an opportunity to create long-term economic prosperity while providing careers that appeal to younger generations. Future projects are expected to include strong Indigenous partnerships alongside rigorous environmental stewardship. The presenters also emphasized that economic reconciliation means participating in emerging industries and the future economy rather than relying solely on traditional sectors.

The latest Alberta data centre map and CCS hub map are available through GLJ’s website.