A Sept. 11 town hall in Grande Prairie is drawing criticism after a speaker told attendees that “AI is here to stay” and urged residents to contact their elected representatives about proposed data centres. The event is framed as a response to local concerns about the impact of expanding AI-related infrastructure.
Multiple reports describe the same remarks, including an approach that emphasizes keeping the broader AI rollout in view while addressing local decision-making through policy channels. Attendees express disagreement with aspects of the event; one participant, Casey Klein, characterizes the town hall as a “disrespectful farce.” The reports do not detail additional speakers’ positions, but they consistently highlight both the message about AI’s permanence and the call for residents to engage MLAs on the issue of data centres.
