The proposed construction of a data centre and cybersecurity operations hub on Yates Avenue in Sault Ste. Marie has raised significant concerns among residents about the potential effects on our community and environment. While economic development and investment in technology can bring important opportunities to our city, projects of this scale should not move forward without appropriate safeguards, transparency, and meaningful public consultation.

The proposal is for a 5-megawatt data centre and cybersecurity operations hub on Yates Avenue, led by Protexxa, a Canadian cybersecurity company. The company says the facility would provide secure data storage, 24/7 cyber monitoring, and cybersecurity services for businesses. Supporters of the development say it could create skilled technology jobs and help diversify Sault Ste. Marie's economy.

However, residents deserve clear and factual information about the potential impacts of this development before construction or final approvals move forward. Many important details about the project have not been made sufficiently clear to the public, including its expected electricity and water consumption, cooling systems, backup power generation, projected noise levels, environmental impacts, plans for future expansion, and measures that would be taken to protect nearby residents.

One major concern is the energy and environmental footprint of data centres. These facilities can require substantial amounts of electricity to operate servers, networking equipment, cooling systems, and other infrastructure. At a time when communities around the world are working to reduce emissions and prepare for increasing energy demands, Sault Ste. Marie residents should know how this facility would be powered, what its expected environmental footprint would be, and whether renewable or low-carbon energy and energy-efficient technologies would be incorporated into its operation.

The proposed site and surrounding environment must also be carefully considered. Development can affect vegetation, drainage, wildlife habitat, and surrounding ecosystems. Before this project proceeds, residents should have access to appropriate environmental assessments and clear information about how potential impacts will be prevented or mitigated.

There are also significant concerns about noise and the proximity of the proposed facility to homes and schools. Data centres can generate continuous noise from cooling equipment, ventilation systems, electrical infrastructure, and backup generators. Our sister city of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, has experienced serious community concerns over noise associated with a relatively small cryptocurrency mining operation located near a school. While cryptocurrency mining and a cybersecurity data centre are not identical operations, the experience demonstrates why noise standards, monitoring, enforcement, and appropriate setbacks should be established before, not after, a facility begins operating.

The proposed Yates Avenue location is only minutes from two elementary schools and numerous residential properties. Families living and learning near the site deserve assurance that continuous industrial noise, construction activity, increased traffic, lighting, generators, and other operational impacts will not negatively affect their quality of life.

We are particularly concerned that the City of Sault Ste. Marie does not yet appear to have a comprehensive, data-centre-specific regulatory framework addressing issues such as noise, energy consumption, cooling systems, backup generators, setbacks from residential areas and schools, environmental monitoring, and future expansion.

Although the current proposal is relatively modest at 5 megawatts compared with some larger data centres, residents also deserve to know what could happen in the future. Once the infrastructure and facility are established, expansion may become easier to pursue. The City should establish appropriate regulations and limits now rather than attempting to address unforeseen consequences after the development is operating.

This petition is not a rejection of technology, cybersecurity, jobs, or economic development. We recognize the potential benefits that responsible technology investment can bring to Sault Ste. Marie. However, economic development should not come at the expense of environmental responsibility, neighbourhood quality of life, or public trust.

Alternative locations, stronger regulations, improved technology, environmental safeguards, enforceable noise limits, and sustainable energy practices could potentially address many of these concerns. Meaningful consultation with residents, particularly those living near the proposed site, should also occur before irreversible decisions are made.

We therefore urge Sault Ste. Marie City Council, City planners, and other responsible authorities to halt the approval and construction of the proposed Yates Avenue data centre until:

 

• Comprehensive environmental, energy, noise, traffic, and community-impact information has been made publicly available
• Residents, including families living near the site and the nearby schools, have been given a meaningful opportunity to provide input
• Appropriate bylaws and regulations governing data centres have been established
• Clear and enforceable noise limits, setbacks, monitoring requirements, and environmental safeguards are in place
• The City has examined whether Yates Avenue is an appropriate location compared with alternative industrial sites farther from homes and schools
• The developer has provided transparent information regarding future expansion, energy requirements, cooling systems, backup generators, and sustainability measures.

Sault Ste. Marie should welcome innovation and economic opportunity, but development must be responsible, transparent, sustainable, and appropriate for the community in which it is built.

Once a major industrial development is established, addressing problems after the fact can be far more difficult than preventing them in the first place.

We are asking the City to get this right before allowing the project to move forward.

Sign this petition to ask Sault Ste. Marie City Council to halt the proposed Yates Avenue data centre development until residents have the information, protections, regulations, and meaningful public consultation necessary to ensure responsible development in our community.