D’ESCOUSSE — An information session on a planned AI data centre in Cape Breton ran late as residents lined up to ask what safeguards and environmental protections would be in place and to voice concern about the American AI giant that would lease the centre. More than 200 people filled a community hall in southern Cape Breton on Tuesday night to learn about EverWind Fuels’ plans for a $10-billion, 18,600-square-metre AI data centre in Point Tupper, N.S. that would come online by the end of 2027. American tech company Anthropic has signed a 20-year lease for the centre, which would draw 95 megawatts of electricity in its first phase. A 325-megawatt expansion is expected in mid-2028, which would bring the development’s total energy demand to 420 megawatts. Natalie Woodhouse and her partner Kevin Dubienski were among the dozens of Cape Bretoners who lined up to ask questions of EverWind officials Tuesday night in D’Escousse, N.S., on Isle Madame. “We love Cape Breton,” Woodhouse said. “We’re here tonight to represent the communities we love and want to protect.” Dubienski asked whether EverWind would go beyond its planned industrial approval process and undertake an environmental assessment to understand the data centre’s potential impact on wildlife and water. Woodhouse also asked about the environment and what consultation there had been with Indigenous communities. An EverWind official referred to Mi’kmaq ownership of some of its wind projects, and said more community engagement was planned. The official told Dubienski the industrial approval and permitting process would protect the environment. Woodhouse said she left the meeting feeling unsatisfied. “We found the answers from the representatives of EverWind were a huge letdown because they were vague and hollow,” Woodhouse said. “Their pattern of answering questions seemed to be validate the person asking the question and then redirect the conversation toward something positive, or they pushed the conversation to a future timeline altogether.” Mark Stewart, director of engagement for EverWind, began Tuesday night’s presentation by acknowledging resident concerns. “We know there’s frustration,” he said. “The intention tonight is for us to present some information, but most importantly … to listen, take questions, take feedback. “Because we know through the development process, there’s opportunity for changes.” Stewart repeated throughout the night that Tuesday marked the start of the conversation about the data centre. A second session is set for Wednesday night in a neighbouring community. Stewart said more consultation would happen with residents in the area before the new year and into 2027. The company says the project would include a closed-loop cooling system using recycled water and an external cooling system that would require additional water on hot days. EverWind estimates the system would use roughly 100,000 litres of water each day from the nearby Landrie Lake in the first phase, and an average of 500,000 litres per day once the expansion is complete. The peak demand represents 1.5 per cent of the lake’s estimated sustainable daily yield. Water used in the closed-loop system would not be put back into the lake and would be handled by a waste-management company. EverWind has said the project would mean $2.4 billion in construction spending, $1.5 billion in provincial corporate income tax over 20 years, and $110 million in municipal property tax over the same period. Stewart said the project would also create 215 jobs in the community on top of 2,000 temporary construction jobs. Brandon Kroetsch, who attended the event from North Sydney, asked Stewart whether it was “disingenuous” to tout new jobs linked to the data centre. He noted that Anthropic’s CEO and co-founder, Dario Amodei, has warned the technology could disrupt the labour market more than previous technological advancements. Kroetsch’s microphone briefly cut out during the exchange. “There certainly are well-founded questions on jobs,” Stewart said. “The jobs I’m speaking to here are jobs we’re creating in rural and regional Nova Scotia.” Amodei has said he warned of job displacement not because he was trying to be a “prophet of doom” but rather because he wanted policymakers and the private sector to have the best chance to adapt and respond. He has proposed better data collection to track AI job displacement, pro-employment policy incentives to slow or reduce displacement, and mechanisms such as a universal basic income if job displacement drives down labour demand. Multiple people asked about Anthropic and what oversight would exist for the AI firm. One person asked whether the company would attend a future information session to answer questions. Stewart said he could not speak for Anthropic. “What I can say is I’ve had conversations with Anthropic … they’re really interested in getting to know the communities (and) have these conversations,” Stewart said. Anthropic did not return a request for comment. Anthropic, which was valued at close to $1 trillion earlier this year, is preparing for an initial public offering as early as this month, which is shaping up as one of the biggest ever. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 3, 2026. Lyndsay Armstrong, The Canadian Press -- With files from The Associated Press
