The ALL IN Conversation: Why Canada's Digital Future Depends on Sovereignty

The hum of innovation in Canada is getting louder. At the ALL IN conference, the nation's premier AI event, I had the honor of speaking about a topic that is becoming more critical than ever: data sovereignty. This isn't just about data centers; it's about the very foundation of Canada's digital future and our place on the global stage.

The AI revolution is here, and it’s a force to be reckoned with. By 2030, the global demand for power from data centers is projected to double, with AI being a key driver of this growth. In fact, the demand for data centers driven by AI is expected to increase by 3.5 times by 2030. This explosion in demand is leading to a new class of high-density data centers, with some racks expected to exceed 600kW by the end of 2027.

This exponential growth begs a crucial question: where will all this data and the infrastructure that supports it reside? For Canada, the answer must be at home.

Why Data Sovereignty Matters for Canada

Data sovereignty is the principle that data is subject to the laws and governance of the country in which it is stored. For Canada, this isn't just a regulatory issue; it's a strategic imperative. Here's why:

• Economic Resilience: Keeping our data in Canada, on Canadian-owned infrastructure, means we are building a foundation of economic resilience. Data centers create jobs—from construction to IT specialists—and stimulate local economies, ensuring the economic value of our data stays within our borders. This is a commitment we've made in places like Calgary, with our investments in the new CAL-3 site slated for 2026.
• Trust and Security: In an age where privacy is a top concern, our citizens and partners need assurance that their data is protected by Canadian laws and not subject to foreign access laws like the U.S. CLOUD Act. This is especially important for regulated industries like healthcare and finance, where sensitive data is at risk of exposure or foreign surveillance.
• Scalable Innovation: To lead in the AI revolution, we need robust, scalable infrastructure. An all-Canadian data center platform with massive power capacity and connectivity is the silent engine that will drive this transformation, allowing businesses to innovate, scale, and compete.

Building the Canadian Dream, Together

At eStruxture, we believe in building the Canadian dream. It's a dream of a sovereign digital future, where our data is safe, our economy is strong, and our innovation is limitless. We are committed to a pan-Canadian presence and market leadership, with 16 locations across the country. Our strategic investments in provinces like Alberta are a testament to this, leveraging a growing talent pool, a supportive business environment, and abundant, sustainable power.

The future of Canada’s digital infrastructure is being shaped right now, and it's a collective effort. As the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, the Honourable Evan Solomon, has said, “When we build and keep our AI infrastructure at home, we secure Canada's place as a leader in the global digital economy”.

This isn't just about eStruxture expanding our footprint; it’s about deepening our roots in a province and a country we believe holds immense strategic importance for Canada's digital future. We are building this future together, and we invite you to be a part of it.

Author: 

Angela Adam

SVP, Sales and Marketing & Govt. Relations