Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation wins bid to keep water licence case alive over data centre
A court has rejected O'Leary Digital Limited's attempt to strike down the First Nation's legal challenge, clearing the way for a judicial review in December.
Why it matters
The case could set a precedent for how much consultation First Nations receive before large-scale industrial projects like AI data centres are approved in Alberta.
Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation says it has won an early legal victory against O'Leary Digital Limited, the company behind the proposed Wonder Valley AI data centre near Grovedale. According to a social media post from the Nation, O'Leary had tried to have Sturgeon Lake's court challenge of a Water Act licence struck out, but lost on every ground argued.
The ruling means the Nation's judicial review, which includes a challenge alleging Alberta failed to consult with Sturgeon Lake at all on the project, will proceed to a hearing in December.
Chief Sheldon Sunshine said the Nation is pleased to have the chance to pursue its Treaty rights and hold the provincial government accountable on consultation. He described the data centre as a massive project pushed through the regulatory system with little environmental assessment or consultation with First Nations, and called on the province and O'Leary to release project designs and technical reports for outside review.
An official connected to the Wonder Valley project told an open house in Grovedale in June that construction was hoped to begin next year.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.