UCP, NDP both find opposition to data centres at town halls

Posted on September 11, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

By Zoe Mason
Southern Alberta Newspapers

Both the province and opposition are gathering public input on data centre development, months into a UCP government strategy looking to attract new investment to the province.

On Aug. 19, the NDP held a virtual data centre town hall, the last event in a series that kicked off earlier this month.

Meanwhile, in Lacombe, the UCP held the first in its own string of engagement events, which later included an online meeting featuring Premier Danielle Smith. 

At both meetings, Albertans objected to the present trajectory of data centre development in the province.

In Lacombe, Minister of Technology and Innovation Nate Glubish was met with boos and jeers from the crowd of several hundred that gathered to have their say in the central Alberta town, according to reporting from The Canadian Press.

Although several dozen people lined up to ask questions at the event, none shared a positive perspective. The most often cited concerns included a lack of safeguards to protect nearby residents and a lack of trust in Alberta government regulations.

The NDP session was likewise dominated by Albertans opposed to data centre development.

Many participants objected to the growing influence of artificial intelligence in society.

One participant identified themselves as a UCP voter, but said they did not back the policy on the data centre question.

“I’ve not historically been a supporter of the NDP, but I’m very grateful that you’re organizing opposition to these data centre projects,” they said.