OTTAWA – A document prepared for Canada’s federal artificial intelligence minister reveals an ambitious plan for a substantial increase in the country's data centre capacity. The document, which was created as a pitch for international investors, indicated that Canada has about 337 megawatts of existing AI data centre capacity, with over 20 gigawatts (20,000 megawatts) currently in various stages of planning or development.
The information came from a presentation for Minister Evan Solomon, obtained by The Canadian Press through access-to-information. However, government spokespeople have pushed back strongly against the projected figure, clarifying that it does not reflect the actual capacity Canada anticipates building, and that the total capacity will be significantly lower.
The presentation underscored the growing interest in AI and its implication for data centre growth, stating, "With AI expected to proliferate in the coming years, crowding out existing markets, more investors are seeking alternative destinations to host data centres." The pitch deck, signed by Associate Deputy Minister Mark Schaan and cataloged as received on January 8, 2026, was designed to highlight Canada’s potential in the AI sector to international investors.
In response to inquiries regarding the 20 GW figure, Solomon's office reported that the number was a "high-level, point-in-time snapshot" of officially announced and proposed private-sector projects across Canada. It combined projects at varying stages, from preliminary proposals to more developed plans, and aimed to illustrate market interest rather than serve as a concrete projection of future capacity. The office emphasized that not all projects will proceed, highlighting that commercial strategies, financing, electricity availability, regulatory approvals, and community engagement factors will play significant roles in determining the outcomes of these proposals.
According to recent estimates from Canada’s national AI strategy, the country is expected to need approximately 5.5 gigawatts of AI compute by 2030, mainly provided by large-scale operations from hyperscale companies targeting both domestic and foreign markets. Earlier documents, including a briefing note prepared in August 2025, suggested that Canada could emerge as a leader in the G7 if the proposed AI data centres reach up to 22.1 GW. Nonetheless, the majority of this capacity is likely to support significant U.S. tech companies.
The rise of proposed data centre projects has been met with growing resistance in various Canadian communities. In late June 2026, protests were held in Vancouver against the opening of AI data centres, and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew rejected a massive data centre project southeast of Winnipeg due to concerns over environmental impacts and community benefits. Similarly, in Olds, Alberta, residents organized against a developing project involving a 10-building campus with gas-fired power generation.
In a related development, Meta announced plans to establish its largest AI data centre outside the United States in Alberta, with a budget exceeding $13 billion. This facility, located in Sturgeon County, will feature a one-gigawatt capacity powered by a natural gas plant developed in collaboration with Pembina Pipeline Ltd.
In Hamilton, a proposal for a significant data centre campus has triggered strong opposition from local residents, leading to a city council motion calling for a moratorium on new data centres. Residents have expressed apprehension regarding potential strains on the electricity grid, increased utility costs, and environmental concerns, including noise and pollution.
The January pitch deck underlined Canada’s appeal as a top destination for new data centres, citing factors such as a stable electricity grid and favorable tax credits. The majority of proposed data centre capacity is located in Alberta, aligning with the province’s AI Data Center Strategy, which aims to attract $100 billion in investment, with projects totaling over 18 GW intended to be supported by natural gas plants. However, concerns about emissions are prevalent, as estimates suggest that 18 GW from natural gas could contribute significantly to Canada’s overall carbon emissions.
