The Regional Municipality of Sherwood approved the 300-megawatt facility for Bell’s Fabric AI network in a Monday meeting, after calling police to deal with demonstrators outside who were chanting and pounding on the council chamber’s doors and windows. Bell Fabric AI president Dan Rink promised to address nearby landowners’ concerns about noise from the data centre and to dig extra wells to monitor the site’s aquifer. (Global News)

Talking point: As dozens of data-centre proposals around Canada move through the approvals process, local meetings about the developments are becoming heated. The protesters accused Sherwood, which encircles Regina, of rushing the vote without examining the Bell plans properly; its council is also largely appointed by the province after a series of resignations in March. The municipality stands to gain $700,000 a year in property taxes—adding about 10 per cent to its tax revenue—according to a staff report, and 80 ongoing jobs at the site.