Community leaders and legal representatives held an initial engagement session at the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Community Hall on Tuesday, with numerous band members in attendance. The purpose was to educate residents about the potential impacts of the proposed Wonder Valley AI data center campus on their traditional land. Despite the presence of many community members with questions, the company spearheading the project was notably absent.
The planned $70 billion, nine-gigawatt Wonder Valley AI data center by O’Leary Digital is situated approximately 130 kilometers southwest of the SLCN reserve in the Municipal District of Greenview. During the session, SLCN lawyer Francco De Luca provided insights into the project’s background, concerns, and the regulatory challenges it faces.
De Luca emphasized the importance of consultation in upholding the Crown’s Aboriginal treaty rights and compliance with regulatory procedures such as the Water Act and the Environmental Protection Enhancement Act, which are designed to safeguard Alberta’s water and environment. He expressed apprehension about the project due to the exemption from a provincial impact assessment and the ongoing judicial review concerning the water license.
Key topics discussed included concerns about heat emissions, noise, and impacts on wildlife, especially given the project’s location at the heart of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation’s territory, where hunting and trapping occur. Chief Sheldon Sunshine highlighted the significance of the land to the community, mentioning a recent traditional camp held near the proposed site where his grandson bagged a moose.
In a previous interview, O’Leary Digital CEO Paul Palandjian assured efforts to avoid disrupting animal habitats in the site planning and reserved areas for wildlife preservation. Despite these assurances, community members remain apprehensive about the project’s potential impact on their way of life and the environment.