Nova Scotia government: No plans for AI data centre regulations or legislature debate before spring

Despite calls from the opposition for an emergency session, the province said there will be time for discussion in the normal spring sitting.

Justice Minister Scott Armstrong answers questions from reporters at One Government Place on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. Photo by Ryan Taplin /The Chronicle Herald

The Nova Scotia government will not be recalling the legislature for an emergency session to discuss the proposed data centre in Point Tupper, according to Justice Minister Scott Armstrong.

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“That would not be our plan to call back the legislature,” Armstrong said Tuesday.

He said the development is in the early stages, then pointed to provincial and federal guidelines already in place.

He added that the legislature will meet in the spring as normal and there will be time then for discussions before final decisions on the project are made.

This comes following EverWind Fuels’ announcement last week of a proposed $10-billion AI data centre development, with U.S. AI company Anthropic signed on for a long-term lease.

NDP Leader Claudia Chender called Monday for the legislature to meet for an emergency session on the data centre development. Later, she hosted a news conference to highlight her concerns regarding power rates, water usage and the lack of enforceable legislation.

“This should not go forward without a robust public debate and without clear legislation,” Chender said Tuesday.

When asked if the government would be considering legislation to regulate data centres in the spring session, Armstrong said the province isn’t at that stage.

“I don’t think we’re there yet,” he said, pointing to existing regulations around large industrial development. However, he didn’t rule it out entirely.

“I’m sure as we move forward, if there requires regulations and legislation, we can do that,” Armstrong said. “But at this time I think we are at the first steps.”