CRD board to consider having staff gather intel ahead of any potential pitches in the region
‘More than just cheerleaders’: CRD aims to gather AI data centre details Published 1:35 pm Wednesday, July 15, 2026 Ahead of the curve, the Capital Regional District aims to gather information on AI (artificial intelligence) data centre impacts. Pitched by a pair of Victoria councillors, the CRD environmental committee readily agreed Wednesday (July 15) to have the board consider tasking staff with gathering information to have at hand ahead of any potential pitches for the region. The motion stems from the federal government’s new AI strategy that includes no new protections for water or climate, and says little about the environmental, land-use, water or utility bill impacts of data centres, said director Jeremy Caradonna, coauthor of the motion.
Areas of the U.S. and UK have limited or banned AI data centres over growing concerns about energy consumption, climate impacts, water requirements, and utility costs, he noted, calling the strategy “boosterism.” “There needs to be a much more balanced look at this technology,” said Caradonna. “It is important for governments to be more than just cheerleaders,” agreed director Dave Thompson, the other
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author of the motion. VIDEO: Victoria councillor calls for AI regulation using AI rendering To date, no AI data centre has been proposed in the CRD, but such facilities have been proposed elsewhere in the province, including up Island and on the mainland. With its relatively abundant water resources and some land availability, particularly in electoral areas, it seems only a matter of time before someone pitches an AI data site on the South Island. The idea is to learn what AI data centres are and how the needs differ from an average data centre, and what regulatory role the CRD could hold. The information would likely come to the next board, after the fall general election. In response to director Colin Plant, a Saanich councillor, staff noted they’re not aware of any of the CRD’s 13 municipalities or two regional districts embarking on such information gathering at the moment. “We...
Read original source- Published
- Jul 15, 2026
- Updated
- Jul 15, 2026
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- Vancouver Island Free Daily
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- Technology
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- 2 min
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