Alberta First Nation not consulted about Kevin O’Leary’s AI data centre, chief says

Cease and desist.

That’s the demand from the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation in an open letter to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

“We just want to make sure that we were heard when it comes to this type of thing. You know, it’s definitely concerning,” Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Chief Sheldon Sunshine told CityNews.

At issue is a $70 billion AI data centre in northern Alberta proposed and promoted by Canadian businessman and TV star Kevin O’Leary.

He raved about the project in a December interview with CityNews.

“Seventy billion dollars is probably the largest real estate project ever proposed in Canada. It’s certainly the largest data centre proposed globally right now,” O’Leary said.

It’s a 7,000 acre data centre park — to be built about 42 kilometres south of Grande Prairie in the MD of Greenview.

O’Leary has said he’s already optioned the land. The power turbines are expected to be up and running in 24 months and the data centres will be built in phases.

The businessman who calls himself “Mr. Wonderful” says he’s been working with the premier’s office on this, adding a likely change to a Conservative government in Ottawa is giving him and other investors a renewed confidence in doing business in Canada.

READ MORE: Dragons’ Den star planning $70B Alberta investment

But Sturgeon Lake’s chief says his community was not consulted at all, and only learned about the project called “Wonder Valley” through news reports.

Sturgeon Lake claims the site is located in their traditional territory, which is still used to fish, hunt and trap. The Cree Nation opposes a land transfer for the project and has concerns about water use and carbon capture and storage.

The chief is not totally against building it, but wants to meet with O’Leary and Smith.

“We’re open. We’re not opposed to having those discussions, as long as everybody’s open, honest.”