The Green Party of BC termed the protests as against AI data centers as an indication of bailing out the corporations. 

Emily Lowan, leader of the BC Greens said, “Tomorrow, thousands of working people will flood the streets of BC, and across the country, with a single, unified message: No AI data centres in our communities. Over 70% of British Columbians oppose building AI data centres in their neighbourhoods, a remarkable majority of the population, that has been resolutely ignored by the BC NDP and the Carney government."

With the BC NDP celebrating these centres’ approval, it begs the question — does the government work for people, or corporations?

With global markets rapidly shifting away from fossil fuels towards renewables, and LNG heading towards a global supply glut, our government is choosing to artificially inflate demand by boosting AI data centres. Mark Carney’s own advisor admitted that constructing a national network of data centres will create a market for Canadian LNG producers. The BC NDP has bet its legacy — and our economy — on subsidizing LNG corporations, hoping they’ll turn a profit. 

The government propping up AI data centres is simply a corporate bailout for over-leveraged sectors. Both big tech and fossil fuel lobbyists are pushing hard on our leaders to fill the major gaps in viability to keep their entire industries from collapsing, and with it, their hold on the power that comes with extreme wealth.

Tomorrow’s protests are not just happening because working people recognize the centres’ major water, energy, and health concerns — but because people are tired of these corporate bailouts. The BC NDP have only to look at the response to their recent announcement on the condo bailout to understand just how tired British Columbians have become.

A moratorium on AI data centres is the right choice for our communities and the right choice for our government. We urge the government to hear the thousands who will be marching tomorrow.