Water is a natural resource worth more than any industry. This belief is personal to me and, I hope, shared by many of us in Nova Scotia and beyond. Our province is facing a significant threat: the development of massive data centres that promise technological advancement at the cost of our most precious resource—water.

Data centres require enormous amounts of water for cooling purposes. According to recent studies, a single data centre can use up to a million liters of water daily. This is water that could otherwise sustain our communities, nourish our farms, and protect our natural ecosystems. Allocating this incredible volume to support Artificial Intelligence development is not only reckless but unsustainable.

Our freshwater consumption in Canada is alarmingly high compared to the global average. Yet, our priority should remain clear: water for survival, not tech.

I believe that Nova Scotians have always stood for nature and community values. It feels as though, in chasing this AI dream, we are compromising our core principles. Rather than bending to corporate pressures, we need to stand tall and declare that our water resources are not for sale.

The solution lies not in halting progress, but in demanding a more balanced approach. We must call upon our local government and developers to explore alternative methods of sustainable cooling, such as using sea water or investing in new, energy-efficient technologies that minimize resource consumption.

By taking a stand today, we safeguard our tomorrow. The decisions we make now will undeniably impact our children and the landscapes they inherit. Join me in urging the relevant authorities to halt the development of these data centres until truly environmentally harmonious solutions can be implemented.

Please, for the sake of current and future generations—sign this petition to protect the lifeblood of our environment and ensure that water remains a resource available for all.