• Rally urges New Brunswick government to rethink energy plans

  Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-20 20:56:59.0
  Tags: [New Brunswick, Energy, Environment, Climate, Infrastructure, Technology]

  Protesters rallied outside the New Brunswick Legislature during the reading of the speech from the throne to oppose government energy and industrial plans, including the proposed Tantramar gas plant, Lorneville data centres, Sisson mine, and the potential re-opening of fracking. Advocates, including the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and the Save Lorneville group, raised concerns over pollution, public health risks, and an increased strain on utility provider NB Power, noting one proposed artificial intelligence data centre would draw 200 megawatts. In response, Premier Susan Holt stated that her government will enforce stringent draft policy conditions requiring projects to demonstrate no negative impacts on water resources or energy rates alongside clear community benefits before receiving approval.

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• New Brunswick data centre debate highlights cross-country tension over AI facilities

  Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-19 11:49:46.0
  Tags: [New Brunswick, Energy, Technology, Infrastructure, Environment, Economy]

  New Brunswick Crown-owned electric utility NB Power has received 10 confidential applications from data centre projects requiring up to 900 megawatts of power, sparking cross-country tension and citizen opposition. Notable proposals include a $2 billion artificial intelligence hub by Beacon Data Centers and VoltaGrid featuring a 400-megawatt data centre in Saint John, a $2.7 billion, 375-megawatt proposal by Faster Than Light in Fredericton, and a 50-megawatt campus proposal by U.S. firm Cross River Infrastructure Partners. While the provincial government works on a data centre policy framework to spur economic growth and tax revenue, grassroots groups like Save Lorneville are demanding a moratorium due to environmental and power grid concerns.

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• AI-driven project to modernize New Brunswick forestry getting $50M boost from Ottawa

  Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-14 20:19:53.0
  Tags: [New Brunswick, National, Economy, Resources, Technology, Industry]

  The federal government is committing up to $50 million to help build the New Brunswick Strategic Innovation Centre in Digital Forestry. The total $86 million project, led by the Northern Hardwoods Research Institute in collaboration with ResearchNB and the provincial Department of Natural Resources, will use artificial intelligence and digital tools to better track wood supply, optimize logistics, and reduce empty truck miles. Forestry currently supports approximately 24,000 jobs in New Brunswick and contributes roughly $1.5 billion annually to the provincial economy.

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• Atlantic Canadian businesses can now apply for nearly $40M in AI funding

  Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-14 18:00:00.0
  Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, National, Technology, Economy, Industry, Finance]

  The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency has launched a federal funding program offering nearly $40 million for small and medium-sized businesses pursuing large-scale artificial intelligence projects costing at least $1 million. The funding supports two primary tracks: adopting AI into internal business operations, such as proposal development tools utilized by Cabco Technologies, or developing new AI solutions to bring to market. Applications for the program remain open until November 20. The initiative aims to address a regional adoption gap highlighted by the Atlantic Economic Panel, which reported that approximately 15 per cent of Atlantic Canadian businesses with 10 or more employees use AI, compared to 20 per cent nationally.

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• Ontario’s World-Class Nuclear Supply Chain Building Canada’s First Microreactor Project

  Source: Ontario - Ministry of Energy and Mines
  Date: 2026-10-05 21:15:00.0
  Tags: [Ontario, New Brunswick, Energy, Technology, Infrastructure, Indigenous]

  Ontario-based BWXT Canada has been selected to fabricate and deploy Canada's first Transportable Nuclear Power Plant using BWXT Advanced Nuclear Reactor technology for an Indigenous-led 50-megawatt pilot project in Belledune, New Brunswick. Developed by Prodigy Clean Energy under an agreement with Pabineau First Nation and Eel River Bar First Nation, the facility will provide clean baseload power for up to 40,000 homes. The project will create more than 150 development jobs, roughly 40 long-term operational positions, and establish a centralized hub and Indigenous Energy Innovation Visitor Centre.

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• 2nd potential AI data centre worries Saint John residents: ‘We have questions’

  Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-05 20:52:15.0
  Tags: [New Brunswick, Municipal, Energy, Technology, Environment, Infrastructure]

  Residents in Saint John, New Brunswick, represented by the advocacy group Save Lorneville, are raising concerns over a second proposed large-scale artificial intelligence data centre following the revelation of plans by U.S.-based Cross River Infrastructure Partners. The proposed project has initially requested 50 megawatts of network-firm power through correspondence with Opportunities New Brunswick, adding to ongoing public scrutiny over an already proposed 390-megawatt data centre and gas plant at the Spruce Lake Industrial Park by VoltaGrid and Beacon Data Centers. Local advocates and residents have cited a lack of updated regulatory frameworks, unknown impacts on municipal water and electrical grid capacity, and potential risks to greenhouse gas emissions and public health.

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• MP calls on New Brunswick to reject proposed AI data centre in open letter to premier

  Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
  Date: 2026-09-18 20:42:41.0
  Tags: [New Brunswick, Energy, Technology, Infrastructure, Economy]

  Conservative Member of Parliament John Williamson has written an open letter urging New Brunswick Liberal Premier Susan Holt to reject a proposed artificial intelligence data centre in Saint John by Beacon Data Centers. Williamson warned that the facility's 200-megawatt demand on the provincial power grid—part of a total 390-megawatt requirement where Beacon AI proposed to generate 190 megawatts on site—would overwhelm public utility NB Power and trigger severe electricity rate hikes for local residents. Williamson criticized Premier Holt for promoting the unapproved project at a Toronto investment summit, arguing that the provincial government must play hardball to shield ratepayers from major price increases.

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• New Brunswick wants public feedback on data centre plan

  Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
  Date: 2026-09-01 19:55:48.0
  Tags: [New Brunswick, Energy, Technology, Environment, Infrastructure]

  The New Brunswick government is seeking public feedback until October 2 on a draft data centre policy designed to prevent electricity rate spikes and minimize environmental impacts while supporting Canadian artificial intelligence development. The provincial consultation coincides with a regulatory review of the proposed 390-megawatt Spruce Lake AI Hub located west of Saint John, which was pitched by Beacon Data Centres and VotaGrid.

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