An AI data centre coming to Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., is drawing concern from some locals. But Mayor Matthew Shoemaker said this week that the negative impacts are being exaggerated, and the centre will create up to 1,000 jobs in the community. “This is a job-creating opportunity at a time when we need job creation,” Shoemaker said. In December, city council approved plans for the AI data centre to be built in the city’s west end. But recently, an online petition raised concerns about possible negative impacts of the data centre. While the creator of the petition didn’t respond to interview requests, the petition does pose a number of questions they want answered on the data centre. They relate to the way the facility will be cooled, the amount of freshwater used, how loud the facility will be for neighbours and the building’s impact on the environment. Shoemaker said the impact will be similar to other facilities in the Sault. “The water use is similar to a 150-unit hotel and power use similar to what the hospital draws,” he said. “So it is not a major — hypersonic, I think they call them — data centre that draws all kinds of water, that has significant impact on the environment.” Shoemaker also said that the building’s neighbours are heavy industrial businesses. Until now, he said the site has been vacant. Has never generated revenue “It has historically not generated any revenue for the community because a city-owned property does not pay taxes,” he said. “This will be not just a job creator, but a revenue generator.” The project is being undertaken by cybersecurity company Protexxa and Missanabie Cree Business LP. Officials didn’t respond to media inquiries. In talking about opposition to the project, the mayor said that some people are fundamentally opposed to all AI data centres, regardless of size or impact. But AI and data centres are “here to stay,” Shoemaker said. “If people weren’t using it, they wouldn’t be required to build, you know, additional capacity for people to draw on its services,” he said. A virtual event was held Thursday evening by those opposing the project, aimed at discussing their concerns and paths forward. In a media release, Missinabie Cree Business LP noted that a phased approach for the project could see the launch between 2028 and 2029.
