FN concerns over Bell data centre raised at federal-provincial meeting

The Standing Buffalo Dakota First Nation outlined its concerns about BCE Inc.’s plan to greatly expand an artificial intelligence (AI) data centre in Saskatchewan during a meeting among the federal government, provincial premiers and Indigenous leaders in Ottawa on Monday. Standing Buffalo Chief Rodger Redman called for more disclosure from Bell and increased levels of consultation, but he received a cool reception from other participants, especially Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. “Our premier left the room before I spoke because I think he knew that I was going to be speaking on some issues that they currently don’t want to discuss,” the chief told The Wire Report minutes after he addressed the dignitaries. Redman condemned the “executive federalism" he accused the governments of practicing. His presentation was also interrupted by Prime Minister Mark Carney (Nepean, Ont.), who quibbled with the chief’s version of the situation. “I had to remind him he was cutting into my time and he was kind of out of order there,” Redman reported. Bell announced the data centre a month ago. On Oct. 2, the Standing Buffalo leadership sent a letter to the telecom expressing its concerns. On Oct. 16, Dan Rink, president of AI infrastructure & strategy for Bell AI Fabric, responded. He said the company has consulted First Nations in accordance with directives from the government of the province. Rink addressed several Standing Buffalo points, including water use, cooling systems, and power. An environmental assessment will be done in accordance with provincial standards. The band had asked for the release of several records, though Bell refused. “Many of the records you requested are technical reports, commercial agreements and regulatory correspondence,” Rink wrote. “Bell does not release these outside the regulatory processes they were prepared for or the agreements that govern them.” Redman told The Wire Report the band is continuing to fight for the release of the documents. He rejects Bell’s position that consultation with the province is sufficient. “I said the province has no jurisdiction over us,” he noted. “And when Premier Moe was questioned on it, he put his head in the sand and stuck his head out and said, ‘we’re just following federal regulatory requirements.’ So Bell does not want to disclose those reports.” A news release from the band said Bell’s options are to show corporate social responsibility by taking part in the established First Nations process or decline the opportunity. The chief maintains that 70 per cent of the Saskatchewan population is dubious of the value of data centres. He is calling on the federal and provincial governments to treat First Nations as equal partners. Standing Buffalo is asking Bell to respond to its request to participate in the First Nations review process by Nov. 16. ppark@thewirereport.ca

FN concerns over Bell data centre raised at federal-provincial meeting

Regulatory |
By Paul Park
|October 27, 2026

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FN concerns over Bell data centre raised at federal-provincial meeting

Regulatory | By Paul Park |October 27, 2026

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Regulatory |
By Paul Park
|October 27, 2026