Data centre development in New Brunswick

Data centres house and operate information technology (IT) equipment, such as servers, routers, and firewalls, to process, store, and manage data. 

Data centres may be owned and operated by a single organization to house their own IT equipment and process internal data, or they may rent space and server infrastructure to outside companies. 

As demand for IT infrastructure increases globally, data centers are becoming larger and there is strong demand to build more of these facilities. New Brunswick is increasingly being considered as a destination for large data centre investments. There is strong interest in building artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure within Canada to help businesses seize AI opportunities and to promote national data sovereignty. 

Data centre development could be an opportunity for New Brunswick to generate economic growth through tax revenue, private sector investment, construction and permanent job creation, and potential offshoot economic and community benefits for New Brunswick.  

Responsible data centre development can support the growth of domestic computing infrastructure. This is a strategic asset that strengthens both provincial and national competitiveness while enabling the development and adoption of AI-enabled technologies for scalable IT infrastructure, digital transformation, and robust data security.  

The policy establishes a framework for evaluating, prioritizing, and approving data centre developments in New Brunswick. Its purpose is to protect electricity ratepayers, support the responsible use of energy, water, land, and other resources, generate measurable economic and community benefits, promote environmental sustainability, and advance Canadian data sovereignty and AI objectives.

The framework is intended to ensure that data centre developments contribute positively to the province while minimizing impacts on public infrastructure, natural resources, and communities.

The policy also seeks to ensure that decision-making is informed by meaningful engagement with First Nations. This engagement will help safeguard traditional knowledge, respect Indigenous rights, and identify and address potential impacts on Indigenous communities.

Working collaboratively across government, the NBGO has developed a set of guidelines to support the policy framework for data centre development in New Brunswick. These guidelines focus on the following key areas:

1. Protecting Ratepayers: Protecting electricity customers is a top priority. Any new data centre project must pay for the costs it creates and cannot lead to higher electricity rates for New Brunswickers.
2. Sustainable Development: Data centre developments must be designed to minimize impacts on water, land, local infrastructure, and the environment, while promoting the responsible use of resources.
3. Economic Benefits for New Brunswickers: Projects will be assessed on the economic benefits they bring to New Brunswick, including new investments, job creation, workforce training, innovation, and opportunities for local and indigenous businesses.
4. Long-term impact: The province will prioritize projects that are technically and financially sound, deliver long-term benefits, and align with provincial and national priorities, including data sovereignty and artificial intelligence growth.
   
5. Community engagement and benefits: Meaningful engagement with local governments, First Nations, and communities will be required throughout the development process. Transparency, accountability, and measurable community benefits will be key considerations in evaluating and approving projects.

To support consistent implementation, departments and agencies will apply a common approach to evaluating data centre proposals. This includes ensuring that no financial support or incentives, land transactions, or asset transfers below fair market value are provided unless expressly authorized by government policy.

Read the policy framework (PDF 717 KB)

Implementation of the policy framework may include legislative changes and new enforcement mechanisms.

Approaching this opportunity responsibly will help support the future prosperity and well-being of New Brunswickers.