Overview
- Defence Construction Canada posted an advance procurement notice that reporting first identified on Thursday signaling intent to seek construction bids early next year for a 60-megawatt facility.
- The government estimates construction costs between about $1.5 billion and $1.85 billion and says the centre would be used by the Communications Security Establishment for secure national-security, foreign‑intelligence and cyber‑defence systems.
- CSE confirmed the facility is for its use but declined to provide operational or technical details, citing the need to protect national security and the integrity of its operations.
- Key approvals are not yet in place because the plan still requires Treasury Board sign‑off and a final site selection, and interested contractors will need security clearances to bid.
- The announcement builds on Ottawa’s recent non-binding data‑centre framework and extra AI funding and raises questions about local electricity, water and environmental impacts similar to disputes seen in other Canadian municipalities.