The Alberta government’s pitch for artificial intelligence data centres ran into open anger Thursday in Redwater, north of Edmonton, where Technology Minister Nate Glubish faced sharp criticism at the province’s second town hall on the issue, according to Head Topics.
The outlet reported that residents pressed Glubish for specifics on safeguards and raised concerns about local water, land, electricity, trust in government and the level of consultation around proposed development in the region.
Redwater residents demand answers
According to Head Topics, the Redwater meeting followed Meta’s announcement last month of plans for a $13-billion AI data centre project in the region, supported by a $4.6-billion natural gas-fired power plant.
This growing discontent mirrors sentiments expressed during a recent protest in Morinville, where community members rallied against Meta's planned data centre, highlighting ongoing concerns about local impacts.
At the town hall, people lined up at the microphone to challenge the province’s approach. One woman, according to the source reporting, questioned why the government was moving ahead if residents did not want the project.
“If no one wants this, why are you pushing forward with this?” she asked, drawing applause.
The applause was not universal. “Lots of people not applauding,” moderator Vitor Marciano said before Glubish responded, according to the reporting.
Head Topics reported that residents demanded details about safeguards, with several raising fears that local resources such as water, land and electricity could be strained by the megaproject. Others questioned whether the province had done enough to consult people who live in the area.
Jobs argument faces skepticism
Some residents were skeptical about the jobs promised by the project, Head Topics reported. Glubish, for his part, argued that the prospect of 300 jobs and broader economic benefits was worth pursuing.
“If we have a choice between 300 jobs and zero jobs, I’m taking 300 jobs all day long,” Glubish said, according to the outlet.
The minister also argued Alberta should take advantage of AI-related investment, jobs and private investment in power generation because, as Head Topics reported him saying, AI technology will be built globally regardless of what Alberta does.
That argument did not quiet the room. According to Head Topics, audience members heckled, booed and swore at Glubish during the Redwater event, interrupting him repeatedly as he tried to answer questions.
Trust breaks into the open
The Redwater meeting also exposed a broader credibility problem for the government on the file. Head Topics reported that some residents said trust in the provincial government had already been lost.
“How can we trust you guys when you constantly lie and show us how slimy you are?” one man asked, according to the source reporting.
“I’m sorry to hear that you have such a jaded view of the government,” Glubish replied, to boos.
“All I can offer is that I’m going to do the best of my ability to ensure that any development in data centres is done responsibly. I care deeply about this province,” he said.
According to Head Topics, Thursday’s confrontation came one day after Glubish was also met with jeers, badgering and boos at a town hall in Lacombe.
Province points to safeguards
Glubish told residents the province has developed strict rules to protect local water supplies and keep power bills under control, according to Head Topics. The outlet also reported that he promised further setback rules for data centre megaprojects.
“We are just at the start of a new industry, and we are taking the time to make sure that we get the regulatory framework in place,” Glubish said Thursday.
Those assurances landed in a room already focused on local impacts. The concerns reported by Head Topics were not limited to one issue: residents raised water, land, electricity, government trust and consultation, all while pressing for clearer answers about what protections would apply.
More town halls scheduled
The public test for the province is not over. According to Head Topics, Premier Danielle Smith is scheduled to join Glubish for a virtual town hall on Aug. 27. Another in-person town hall is planned for next month in Grande Prairie.
For now, the Redwater meeting showed how quickly Alberta’s AI data centre ambitions have become a local fight over resources, trust and who gets heard before major projects move ahead.
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