• Carney appoints astronaut Jeremy Hansen to advise government on new space strategy

  Source: CBC Politics
  Date: 2026-10-21 22:01:14.0
  Tags: [National, Technology, Infrastructure, Defence, Trade, Governance]

  Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed Artemis II astronaut Jeremy Hansen as a special adviser on space strategy to counsel the Prime Minister and Industry Minister Mélanie Joly on national sovereignty, security, and global contributions. The appointment coincides with Canada shifting its space partnerships toward the European Space Agency and away from American private firm SpaceX, drawing commentary from U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra. Additionally, Defence Minister David McGuinty announced a $20-million agreement for a space launch complex in southern Newfoundland to ensure independent and reliable orbital access during geopolitical tensions.

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• Nova Scotia premier defends changing his stance on welcoming data centre proposals

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-15 18:08:28.0
  Tags: [Nova Scotia, Technology, Energy, Infrastructure, Economy, Governance]

  Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has defended his policy reversal regarding the approval of data centre operations in the province. In June, Premier Houston stated that data centres would not be approved until major energy generation projects—such as the Wind West offshore wind farms—were completed to handle their high electricity demands. However, in late September, the premier softened his position, citing the federal government's new rules and focus on data sovereignty as the primary catalyst for becoming more open to considering high-tech data centre proposals.

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• County of Grande Prairie issues data centre development permit near Sexsmith

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-09-30 18:09:48.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Technology, Energy, Infrastructure, Governance]

  The County of Grande Prairie issued a development permit under its 2003 Land Use Bylaw for a new artificial intelligence data centre near Sexsmith in the Emerson Trail area, featuring five buildings measuring 80 by 180 feet and 15 make-up air generator accessory structures measuring eight by 20 feet. Following public pushback from residents regarding transparency and potential impacts on water, noise, and the environment, County Reeve Amanda McDonald announced that future data centre applications meeting right-zoning requirements will now be routed through the Municipal Planning Commission. The underlying land-use redesignation applications for the project site were submitted by Christopher Balderston (CEO of Ground Level Land Corp.), Pamela Balderston, and Ryan Curry (operating as RB Curry Auto Transport), placing the development within Ground Level's planned Redtail Business Park. Although the municipal development permit has been granted, the project remains subject to provincial regulatory agency requirements, such as obtaining an Alberta Energy license, which heavily restricts the municipality's jurisdiction over additional environmental and operational conditions.

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• Carney rallies Liberal MPs as 'crucial session' of Parliament set to resume

  Source: CBC Politics
  Date: 2026-09-18 21:18:23.0
  Tags: [National, Infrastructure, Economy, Technology, Governance, Social Services]

  Prime Minister Mark Carney rallied the Liberal caucus ahead of the fall session of the House of Commons, announcing forthcoming legislation including the Building Canada Strong Act to streamline major project reviews to a "one project, one review, one year" standard. The federal government also plans to introduce social media and AI regulation legislation targeting online harms, cyberbullying, and child exploitation by tech companies. Additionally, an upcoming fall federal budget will outline fiscal plans to manage spending, optimize the balance sheet, and expand social programs such as child care.

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• Saskatchewan Prioritizes Canadian Ownership and Sovereignty in New Data Centre Framework

  Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
  Date: 2026-08-27 21:00:00.0
  Tags: [Saskatchewan, Technology, Energy, Economy, Infrastructure, Governance]

  The Government of Saskatchewan has released a new Data Centre Framework establishing six key principles to guide future digital infrastructure investments, prioritize Canadian ownership, and protect data sovereignty. The framework mandates that project proponents supply their own power generation to avoid placing pressure on the provincial electricity grid or displacing export capacity. It follows Bell Canada's ongoing construction of a 300-megawatt data centre in the Rural Municipality of Sherwood, representing up to $12 billion in economic activity, 1,600 jobs, and $720 million in provincial revenues, alongside an Indigenous partnership agreement signed with George Gordon First Nation. Currently, Saskatchewan has over 30 data centre project applications in the evaluation queue under this new centralized intake and assessment process.

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