Hundreds of people opposed to the proposed artificial intelligence data centre in southern Cape Breton demonstrated across the province Saturday. The protests come amid growing public scrutiny of EverWind’s proposed development. Seven demonstrations were held with the largest being in Halifax outside Province House. “I think that AI is the vein of human existence and I think that having a data centre here is not only an extremely bad idea for the environment and for the population but for a lot of reasons,” said Emmett Paul. “The amount of people out here just shows how many Nova Scotians are against this and they feel like they’ve been lied to and not been given all the information,” said Abby Beals. “I think people are angry and they want they want more from Tim Houston and our government.” The planned data centre is expected to come online in 2027 and draw 95 megawatts of electricity in its first phase. A 325-megawatt expansion is scheduled for mid-2028. Both Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and EverWind Fuels say the data centre would not compromise the environment or cost ratepayers a dime. EverWind says the project will see some 80 turbines built around Nova Scotia to help power the centre and say the AI campus will use and reuse water from a nearby lake. “We don’t want this here. There’s evidence all around the world that this is not right for us here in Nova Scotia,” said Amy Harrison. “We have many, many more important priorities health care, libraries. And we are here to tell Premier Houston what really matters to Nova Scotians.” The demonstration in Cape Breton drew in several dozen protesters to the provincial building in Sydney. Organizers of the protest in Halifax say they are encouraged by the turnout. “Getting everyone here and gathered here today is really, really great and a really good first step. But just raising awareness about it in general and stopping this one and stopping future ones. That’s the best we can do,” said Ben Wetherell of the Environmental Society of Dalhousie. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
