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.
The announcement appears to be part of a broader framework. CTV News noted that Saskatchewan plans to introduce formal guidelines for future data centre projects. The current statements from the province outline the key principles, but the detailed rules have not yet been published.
This move places Saskatchewan among a growing number of jurisdictions seeking to control how AI infrastructure is built, who owns it, and how it affects local energy grids. The province’s stance could influence other Canadian regions considering similar restrictions.
Watch for the release of the formal guidelines, which will clarify the application process, ownership verification standards, and what counts as acceptable self-supplied power for these projects.
