Tag Archives: AI

In cities across Canada, hundreds gather to oppose unchecked AI data centre proliferation

By Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A national protest movement against AI data centres is emerging in Canada, as residents in a dozen cities push back against the speed and scale of projects they say could strain supplies of water and power and the quality of life in their communities.

In Vancouver, demonstrators marched from the Vancouver Art Gallery to City Hall against two proposed TELUS-linked AI data centres, part of a BC cluster that could consume 150 megawatts of BC Hydro power by 2032. The protesters “feel it’s been imposed on them and that they had no say and that their interests are not being taken to heart,” said Guerric Haché, a 36-year-old organizer with NO AI Vancouver.

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What Will Canada’s AI Strategy Mean for Jobs and Safety?

By Isaac Phan Nay, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada’s long-awaited and much-delayed artificial intelligence strategy on Thursday, outlining how his government plans to adopt and control the powerful technology.

The strategy signals the government’s support for large-scale AI adoption. The plan includes a $500-million fund to invest in Canadian AI companies and a commitment to support construction of data centres that will bring at least a combined 850 megawatts of compute capacity by 2030.

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BC’s new data centre cluster sparks new discussion of ‘sovereign’ AI push

By Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

TELUS is pushing ahead with plans for a major AI data-centre cluster in British Columbia after being selected under Ottawa’s large-scale AI data-centre initiative. But the project is raising questions about who will ultimately control that infrastructure and whether BC’s clean power grid can absorb the electricity demand.

The project announced Monday with federal backing, would start with 85 megawatts of power from BC Hydro and scale to 150 megawatts, and over 60,000 NVIDIA GPUs, by 2032.

It includes three sites: an AI facility in Kamloops launching later this year, a Mount Pleasant location opening in 2026 and expanding through 2028 and a 10-storey data centre near BC Place set for 2029.

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Possibly Cortes Island’s First Plant and Skill Share 

Linnaea Farm’s First Plant and Skill Share was on Saturday, April 18. It may be the first on Cortes Island. 

Tamara McPhail, who has been at Linnaea farm the past quarter century explained,  ”I don’t know if there’s ever been a plant share before on Cortes.” 

Continue reading Possibly Cortes Island’s First Plant and Skill Share 

April 26: Mark Winters at the Heriot Bay Inn

Mark Winters will be performing in the Heriot Bay Inn, on Quadra Island, at 3:00 PM on Sunday, April 26th. 

The Texan based singer/songwriter recently told Cortes Currents,  “I picked up music a little later than most, in my adult life after I got a degree in aerospace engineering, of all things. Music has always moved me as a listener, and I wanted to do something musical. In 2011, I picked up a guitar to play a song for my wife for our anniversary. It was the most joyful experience I’ve ever had in my life, and I became obsessed with the feeling of connection you get when you perform live for others.

“I’ve learned a lot about how you build a tour. Last year I did a spring and a fall tour, and both of them had Canadian legs. So I played a show in Vancouver, and that part of the country is phenomenally beautiful. I took a run along the little bay that wraps around up to the Children’s Museum up there, and I felt like I was running in paradise. Then I heard about the island and the live music scene there—the Heriot Bay Inn has such a great vibe. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to talk to the booking people there to play a show, maybe write a few songs while I’m there enjoying the Bay.”

Continue reading April 26: Mark Winters at the Heriot Bay Inn