Dozens of band members gathered at the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Community Hall for an engagement session regarding the proposed Wonder Valley AI data center campus. Community leaders and legal representatives provided information about the project’s potential impact on their traditional territory. The company responsible for the project did not attend the session to address residents’ queries.
The $70 billion, nine-gigawatt facility by O’Leary Digital is planned in the Municipal District of Greenview, approximately 130 kilometers southwest of the SLCN reserve. During the presentation, SLCN lawyer Francco De Luca discussed the project’s history, concerns, and the regulatory processes it needs to navigate.
De Luca emphasized the importance of consultation to uphold Crown Aboriginal treaty rights and comply with regulatory frameworks such as the Water Act and the Environmental Protection Enhancement Act. He raised concerns about the exemption of a provincial impact assessment and the ongoing judicial review of the project’s water license.
Issues related to heat emissions, noise, and wildlife were highlighted during the presentation, echoing discussions from O’Leary Digital’s previous open house in June. Chief Sheldon Sunshine expressed concerns about the project’s location disrupting traditional activities like hunting and trapping in the community’s territory.
O’Leary Digital CEO Paul Palandjian assured efforts to avoid disturbing animal habitats in the project’s planning and designated areas for wildlife preservation. The Q&A segment of the session was limited to SLCN band members, focusing on environmental concerns and the lack of consultation.
O’Leary Digital’s absence at the engagement session, originally scheduled to coincide with an open house, sparked disappointment among community members. Despite challenges in communication, the company expressed commitment to engaging with SLCN leadership in the future for constructive dialogue. Chief Sunshine stressed the need for continued engagement to address community concerns and uncertainties surrounding the Wonder Valley project.