Vancouver councillor’s bid to regulate new AI data centres fails

A Vancouver city councillor was hoping to establish a regulatory framework for AI data centers, but her attempt to do so failed as the ABC-majority voted against the proposal.

A Vancouver city councillor was hoping to establish a regulatory framework for AI data centres, but her attempt to do so failed as the ABC-majority voted against the proposal. One City Coun. Lucy Maloney introduced the motion, titled “Addressing the Risks of Digital Infrastructure,” Wednesday.

Her motion sought to create criteria for councillors to use to assess each data centre, in an effort to address noise pollution, water usage, and potential job loss. “It’s hard for people to justify something that may or may not have large impacts on water use and electricity use when people don’t feel like they have the right information, or enough information to know how that’s going to affect people,” she said. Maloney’s motion stemmed from a joint announcement between the federal government and Telus in May, regarding plans for a large-scale AI data centre project in British Columbia.

Two of the centres are slated for Vancouver and will be located downtown and in Mount Pleasant. The news has prompted public backlash and numerous protests. At Wednesday’s meeting, about two dozen people spoke—all in support of the proposal.

Speakers cited environmental concerns, economic impacts, and a lack of safeguards. One speaker stated, “I would recommend listening to the people, instead of your 11 AI assistants.” The