Fears are widespread about data centre impacts on Canada’s water, environment: poll

A significant majority of Canadians express apprehension regarding the proliferation of artificial intelligence data centers, according to a recent Leger poll. Concerns are mounting over potential increases in household electricity costs and the environmental toll these facilities might exact.

The poll revealed that 81 percent of respondents are worried that data centers will lead to spikes in their home energy bills. An almost equal share, 79 percent, voiced concerns about the environmental consequences, specifically citing the substantial electricity and water consumption, as well as greenhouse gas emissions associated with data centers.

Despite these environmental and economic worries, Canadian sentiment is divided on the strategic imperative of building data centers to support domestic AI services. While 46 percent believe constructing these facilities to enhance Canada's data sovereignty is beneficial, 37 percent view it negatively. This division is further reflected in provincial attitudes, with 44 percent supporting the development of AI data centers in their own regions and 42 percent opposing it.

Andrew Enns, Leger’s executive vice-president for Central Canada, noted this "divided opinion amongst Canadians regarding the construction of these data centers around the country." Awareness of data centers is relatively high, with 62 percent of respondents having heard of them. The poll also touched upon energy supply, with 58 percent believing provincial governments or electricity providers should supply power, while a significant minority (just under a third) suggested companies should bear the full cost or meet their own energy needs.

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We’re seeing evidence that there is a bit of a divided opinion amongst Canadians regarding the construction of these data centres around the country.