Opponents of data centres in New Brunswick say they are “hopeful” about the province’s new development framework, but argue it should have been introduced sooner.
The province unveiled the policy framework last week, aimed at protecting electricity ratepayers, promoting the responsible use of energy and water, generating economic and community benefits, supporting environmental sustainability, and advancing Canadian data sovereignty and AI objectives as interest in data centres continues to grow across the country.
The policy, developed by the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, also comes as Calgary-based Beacon AI and Texas-based VoltaGrid pursue plans for a 390-megawatt data centre in Saint John’s Spruce Lake Industrial Park. The project, announced in late 2025, remains under regulatory review.
The proposal sparked significant public opposition over concerns about its projected energy consumption and potential environmental and community impacts.
RELATED: Proposed AI data centre in Saint John faces scrutiny at open house
RELATED: Lorneville residents seek accountability on data centre impacts
RELATED: Expert questions accuracy of air quality review for $2B data centre project
In a statement, activist group Resist Data Centre NB said it’s glad to see guidelines introduced, but believes they should have been in place before projects were proposed.
“This policy should have existed before any data centres were on the table for New Brunswick, and [this] demonstrates why us, the Greens, and many others are asking for a moratorium,” wrote the group in a statement. “These projects are moving ahead of policy and regulations. Lorneville is the perfect example.”
The policy must still be approved by the legislature, and the province is seeking public feedback before making any revisions ahead of debate during the fall legislative session.
The group believes the province already has the feedback that it needs from the thousands of people who joined their protests against data centres.
Resist Data Centres said that while the framework makes them hopeful, the proposed policy still leaves them with many questions.
The group also said it wants the final policy to include clear definitions and meaningful protections for New Brunswickers, with measurable standards, numerical thresholds, and consequences for non-compliance.
Saint John mayor welcomes policy
Like Resist Data Centres NB, Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon agreed that having provincial guidelines in place before the proposed Lorneville data centre would have been helpful. But said she is glad to see the policy framework come forward, adding that provincial leadership was needed as data centres become an increasingly prominent issue across the country.
“I’m seeing small towns, municipalities, big and small, trying to create a path forward, to put a moratorium, not put a moratorium, like nobody is really equipped or knows what to do in these situations,” she said. “I think we needed the leadership, so I was happy to see it.”
While Reardon said she is content with she’s seen so far, she said she would like to seek further clarification on what community benefits will look like.
Under the proposed policy, proponents would be required to clearly outline the benefits they plan to provide and explain how those commitments would be measured and evaluated. Those benefits could include commitments related to employment, training, infrastructure, community services, among others.
Reardon said she wants to determine whether proponents will be expected or required to contribute to the community beyond economic development, such as by investing in public spaces, supporting arts and culture initiatives, or providing other community benefits, adding that she believes industry should play a role in supporting the city.
“Industry can bring noise, dust, dirt and lighting, and it can bring trains and whistles and emissions, but it also brings jobs, and so you need to balance that,” she said. “It would be nice to balance that with a contribution to the betterment and development of the community that they decide to settle in.”
Although she said questions remain, Reardon believes the proposed framework addresses many of the concerns raised by residents and could help protect communities.
“I think with the province putting in all these measurables and key points in this policy framework, I think it helps to do that, in combination with the environmental impact assessment as well,” she said.
Reardon said she is looking forward to seeing how the policy develops. She added that her council will also inquire about potential rules or regulations around property tax.
Residents will have the opportunity to share their thoughts on the policy until Oct. 2 through a consultation website.
The province is also holding preliminary stakeholder consultations and said any legislative or regulatory changes will begin during the 2026-27 legislative session.
