A significant majority of Canadians have expressed deep concerns about the potential consequences of artificial intelligence data centres on their wallets and the natural environment, according to a recent Leger poll released on July 18, 2026. The findings reveal widespread apprehension about the rapid expansion of these technological facilities across the country.
Overwhelming Concerns About Rising Electricity Costs
The survey results paint a clear picture of Canadian anxiety regarding data centre development. An impressive 81 per cent of respondents indicated they are worried that data centres could lead to substantial increases in their household electricity bills. This concern reflects growing awareness about the enormous energy demands these facilities require to power and cool thousands of servers operating around the clock.
Environmental concerns were equally prominent in the survey results. Approximately 79 per cent of those polled expressed worry about the ecological footprint of data centres, including their massive consumption of electricity and water resources, as well as the greenhouse gas emissions they produce.
“We’re seeing evidence that there is a bit of a divided opinion amongst Canadians regarding the construction of these data centres around the country,” stated Andrew Enns, Leger’s executive vice-president for Central Canada.
Data Sovereignty Creates Mixed Feelings
When the conversation shifted to the topic of data sovereignty, Canadians showed more nuanced opinions. The poll asked respondents whether they support constructing data centres to support Canadian-based AI services, and the results were surprisingly split:
- 46 per cent believe building facilities to give Canada more control over data would be beneficial
- 37 per cent view such development as negative
- 44 per cent would support data centres being built in their own provinces
- 42 per cent would oppose such construction in their home province
This near-even split demonstrates that while Canadians recognize potential benefits of domestic data infrastructure, many remain hesitant about welcoming these facilities into their communities. The tension between technological advancement and environmental stewardship appears to be at the heart of this debate.
Who Should Pay for Power Infrastructure?
The survey also explored public opinion on how electricity should be supplied to these energy-hungry facilities. The responses revealed interesting perspectives on corporate responsibility and public resource allocation:
- 58 per cent said provincial governments or electricity providers should supply power to AI data centres
- Nearly one-third insisted this should only happen if companies pay the full cost of power and any required infrastructure upgrades
- 31 per cent believe data centre companies should not access public electricity at all and must meet their own energy needs independently
The online survey gathered responses from 1,505 Canadians between July 10 and July 13, 2026. According to the Canadian Research Insights Council, online surveys cannot be assigned a traditional margin of error since they do not employ random population sampling methods.
Awareness Growing Among Canadian Population
Interestingly, the poll found that awareness of data centres among Canadians is relatively high. Approximately 62 per cent of respondents indicated they had heard of data centres prior to taking the survey. This awareness level suggests that public discourse around AI infrastructure has penetrated mainstream conversations.
The timing of this survey coincides with ambitious plans to dramatically expand data centre capacity across Canada. The majority of proposed development is concentrated in Alberta, where facilities could potentially draw power from natural gas plants rather than the provincial electrical grid. This approach raises additional environmental questions about reliance on fossil fuels to power the AI revolution.
Public opposition to data centres has emerged in various parts of the country, including in Alberta. In June 2026, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew rejected plans for a massive data centre project southeast of Winnipeg, signaling that political leaders are responding to constituent concerns about these large-scale technological developments.
As Canada navigates its digital future, balancing technological innovation with environmental protection and affordable electricity for residents will remain a significant challenge for policymakers and communities alike.
