Saskatchewan has announced that only Canadian-owned companies will be permitted to apply for new AI data centre construction projects in the province. The new rules, reported by Global News, CBC, and other outlets on August 27, 2026, also require these facilities to generate or supply their own electricity.
Provincial officials framed the decision as a matter of national preference. A minister said the province is “choosing Canada” for these developments, according to Global News. The policy effectively bars foreign-owned firms from bidding on such projects, a significant restriction given that major global tech companies often build and operate large-scale data centres.
The requirement that data centres supply their own power is notable because AI facilities are highly energy-intensive. By mandating self-supplied electricity, Saskatchewan is shifting the burden of grid capacity and infrastructure costs onto the developers. The Globe and Mail and BNN Bloomberg both reported that the province will require Canadian ownership and independent power generation as core conditions.
