Bell Canada, a telecommunications company, and the Government of Saskatchewan have announced plans for a 300 MW AI-focused data center in the Rural Municipality of Sherwood, Regina. The facility is part of Bell AI Fabric, expected to be the largest purpose-built AI data center in Canada.
According to a press release, the project marks Bell’s largest investment in Saskatchewan, with officials projecting up to US$ 12 billion in economic value over time through jobs, tax revenue, and other benefits. Construction begins this spring, with the first data halls expected online in the first half of 2027. A portion of the facility’s computing power will be dedicated to sovereign AI, allowing government agencies, researchers, and businesses to process data domestically while meeting strict residency requirements.
Kevin O’Leary, VP of Data Center Operations, Bell Canada, said, “This data center represents a significant step for Canada’s technology sector. It provides the backbone for high-performance AI compute while supporting jobs and research locally, ensuring Canada can maintain sovereignty over its AI data and applications.”
Dr. Laura Smith, Director of AI Infrastructure at the University of Regina, said, “Data centers like this one are critical to building a domestic AI ecosystem. By situating the facility in Saskatchewan, we not only expand compute capacity but also create local expertise and infrastructure that will support future AI innovations.”
The center will connect to Bell’s national fiber network via SaskTel, enabling both companies to offer AI solutions to customers. Cerebras and CoreWeave will provide wafer-scale AI hardware and scalable GPU compute, respectively.
Andrew Feldman, CEO and Co-founder, Cerebras, said, “AI is becoming foundational national infrastructure. Countries want AI systems that are fast, energy-efficient, and sovereign by design, and partnering with Bell allows us to bring industry-leading AI compute to Canada in a way that aligns with these national priorities.”
Sachin Jain, Chief Operating Officer, CoreWeave, said, “Canada has an extraordinary AI ecosystem, and expanding access to advanced compute will help unlock new opportunities for innovation, economic growth and scientific discovery to deliver the high-performance AI infrastructure researchers, enterprises and developers need to innovate at scale.”
Bell also plans collaborations with local universities, municipalities, and the public sector. An agreement with the George Gordon First Nation focuses on Indigenous procurement and workforce development. The facility will use a closed-loop cooling system and explore reusing waste heat for nearby campuses and developments.
The Sherwood data center positions Saskatchewan as a hub for AI development in Canada. Experts say projects like this strengthen the country’s AI ecosystem, attract future investment, and ensure critical data and infrastructure remain in Canada.