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News
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Beyond Code: Powering AI; Canada’s Moment?
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just about algorithms, data, and software. Once confined to the minds of computer scientists, AI now depends on massive physical infrastructure: expanded electricity generation, resilient transmission and distribution grids, and high-performance data centres, supported by advanced semiconductors, critical minerals, and complex global supply chains. As AI penetrates every sector, from defense1 to finance2, it is driving surging demand for reliable, affordable, low-carbon power; leading-edge hardware manufacturing; and the construction and modernization of digital infrastructure. This shift creates material challenges as well as opportunities, particularly for resource-rich countries such as Canada. This article first outlines AI’s infrastructure requirements and then examines how Canada could position itself as a key player by leveraging its energy and critical-mineral endowments, while identifying critical blind spots in current strategy. Infrastructures Required for AI The Need for Stable Energy The electricity demand driven by the expansion of data centres and AI applications is surging. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that data centres consumed approximately 415 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2024, roughly 1.5% of global electricity consumption. This figure could more than double by 20303, to roughly 945 TWh, with AI a primary growth driver. In some economies, data centres could represent more than 20% of electricity demand growth by 2030, while in the United States, demand could grow more than thirtyfold by 2035, to 123 gigawatts, from 4 gigawatts in 20244. Meeting this rising demand requires new generation capacity. Building renewable, nuclear, or gas-fired plants poses significant regulatory, environmental, and logistical challenges. Renewables face land-use constraints, and wind and solar intermittency is at odds with AI’s round-the-clock power requirements. Nuclear entails high upfront costs, licensing and safety requirements, and long lead times. Several recent data centre and AI infrastructure projects, including those led by xAI5, Oracle6, and Meta7 have turned to natural gas generation, citing its speed of deployment and ability to bypass grid interconnection delays. The IEA emphasizes that accelerating deployment of clean generation is essential to meet AI-driven demand and climate commitments. In practice, countries must balance the urgency of capacity expansion with decarbonization targets, an increasingly complex policy challenge. The stability and scalability of AI infrastructure also depend on grid modernization and the strategic siting of data centres. The IEA emphasizes that “a sole focus on increasing electricity generation won’t be enough […] countries must also think about their infrastructure.” Deloitte similarly notes that “the AI ambitions of the [U.S.] government and industry come up against the grid’s capacity to power or even interconnect data centers, as there is currently a seven-year wait for some requests to connect to the grid.” Material Needs for AI Infrastructure Beyond energy, AI relies on a wide range of materials: to build data centres (concrete, steel, copper, cooling systems) and to equip them (semiconductors and specialized chips, cabling, rare earths, and high-purity metals). The IEA warns that AI-driven growth will add pressure to critical-mineral supply chains—especially for copper and aluminium8, but also nickel, gallium, and silicon. This pressure is not unique to AI: the global shift to electrification already fuels intense competition for the same scarce resources. The IEA’s Global Critical Minerals Outlook 20259 projects that demand for copper, lithium, and nickel could double or even triple by 2030, while supply remains concentrated in a few regions and vulnerable to geopolitical shocks. In short, AI rests on heavy physical infrastructure underpinned by a finite, geopolitically sensitive mineral base. The growing overlap between AI and the broader energy transition underscores a key point: the sustainability and scalability of AI hinge as much on resource management and industrial policy as on innovation. Canada as a Potential Key Player Energy: Nuclear Development and Hydro-Québec’s Ambitions Canada is a major energy producer, generating approximately 639 TWh of electricity in 2022, roughly 70% from renewables10. This baseline gives Canada a comparative advantage in powering energy-intensive digital infrastructure, such as AI data centres. Building on this foundation, Canada is expanding its nuclear capacity. In 2023, Ontario Power Generation announced plans to build up to four small modular reactors (SMRs) at its Darlington site, together totalling about 1,200 megawatts (MW) of clean electricity11. These developments form part of a national effort to deploy next-generation nuclear technology12 that will provide stable, low-carbon baseload power to support industrial electrification and the growth of AI infrastructure. Meanwhile, in Québec, Hydro-Québec is investing heavily to modernize and expand renewable capacity. Its Action Plan 2035 outlines $90–110 billion to add 8,000–9,000 MW of new capacity by 2035, primarily through hydro and wind. The plan also calls for approximately 5,000 km of high-voltage transmission lines to connect new generation and improve reliability across the province13. Canada’s cold climate offers an operational advantage: data centres can significantly reduce cooling costs by using free-cooling techniques. For example, a Winnipeg data centre leverages ambient winter air to reduce energy use and costs14. This cold climate, together with hydroelectric and nuclear capacity and Canada’s endowment of critical minerals required to build AI infrastructure, gives Canada strong prospects for AI-related investment. The Blind Spots in Canada’s Strategy Canada was the first G7 country to launch a national AI strategy in 2017: the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy. The strategy aims to position Canada as a global AI leader by fostering research excellence, developing talent, and promoting commercialization. However, it focuses heavily on intellectual leadership and policy principles, with limited measures to address the physical requirements of large-scale AI deployment, including data centre capacity, digital infrastructure, and energy integration15. Building on this framework, the federal government announced the AI Strategy Task Force on September 26, 202516. The initiative will address safe AI, public trust, and infrastructure. The task force, comprising experts from academia, industry, and civil society, will provide recommendations. Nonetheless, details on specific measures remain limited. A major structural challenge is weak coordination among federal, provincial, and local authorities, as well as with Indigenous and community stakeholders17. While the federal government sets broad ambitions for AI, the energy transition, and digital sovereignty, implementation depends on provincial jurisdiction over energy, land use, and industrial planning. This fragmented governance results in inconsistent priorities and delays. The Wonder Valley data centre in northern Alberta, announced as a US$70 billion initiative to build one of the world’s largest AI computing hubs, illustrates these tensions18. Despite support from the provincial government, the project faced strong opposition from the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, citing inadequate early consultation and environmental and treaty-rights concerns. The controversy reflects a broader issue of social acceptability, a recurring barrier to large-scale industrial and digital infrastructure projects across Canada. Overlapping regulations and permitting delays significantly hamper Canada’s ability to develop large-scale infrastructure. The Business Council of Canada describes the permitting system for major projects as “overly complex, time-consuming and a major impediment to attracting investment,” 19 noting that projects may face decades of approvals before construction begins. This maze of federal-provincial rules introduces uncertainty and cost escalation, especially problematic for high-capital, rapidly evolving sectors such as AI infrastructure. In Québec, two strategic challenges stand out. First, the province has long reserved large blocks of electricity capacity for traditional energy-intensive industries, especially metallurgical and mining operations, while deprioritizing data centres. Hydro-Québec explicitly stated in 2022 that it “is in no way working to attract data centers,” reflecting hesitancy to dedicate scarce energy resources to sectors perceived as offering limited employment or local value creation. This cautious approach has left numerous projects, including major initiatives by Google in Beauharnois, waiting years for approval or grid connection. The provincial stance prioritizes long-term industrial diversification and resource-based manufacturing over rapid digital infrastructure expansion20. Second, Québec’s Action Plan 2035 emphasizes wind and solar as complements to hydroelectricity, but their intermittency challenges the continuous power required by AI data centres. While this policy aligns with decarbonization goals, it may make Québec less attractive to hyperscale data centre operators, many of whom now favour regions with stable nuclear or natural gas baseload generation, such as Ontario or certain U.S. states. Taken together, these challenges reveal a structural gap between Canada’s ambition to lead in AI and its capacity to provide the physical and regulatory foundations needed to sustain it. A recent partnership between the U.S. government, Westinghouse Electric Company, Brookfield Asset Management, and Cameco Corporation to deploy at least US$80 billion in new nuclear capacity—explicitly linked to AI data centres and compute—shows the global race to build AI’s physical backbone is already underway21. Conclusion The emergence of artificial intelligence marks a profound transformation in the global economy, one that is as material and infrastructural as it is digital and cognitive. Data centers, energy systems, and supply chains for critical minerals have become the true arteries of the AI age. As such, the countries that succeed in this new era will not be those that simply pioneer algorithms, but those that can secure, scale, and sustain the physical foundations of intelligence itself. For Canada, the path forward hinges on bridging the gap between its research excellence and its industrial capabilities. With abundant clean energy, critical minerals, and a strong technological ecosystem, Canada holds the ingredients to become a champion of sustainable AI infrastructure. Yet, without a coherent, long-term coordination between federal and provincial levels and a streamlined regulatory environment, it risks remaining on the periphery of the next technological revolution. Original article: https://emagazine.renewcanada.net/?pid=ODk8923274&v=3.10&p=31 Ministère des Armées et des Anciens combattants (2025). Comprendre l’IA de défense. https://www.defense.gouv.fr/actualites/comprendre-lia-defense KPMG (2025). L’IA dans la fonction finance. International Energy Agency (2025). Energy and AI. https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/601eaec9-ba91-4623-819b-4ded331ec9e8/EnergyandAI.pdf Deloitte (2025). Can US infrastructure keep up with the AI economy?. https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/power-and-utilities/data-center-infrastructure-artificial-intelligence.html Data Centers Going Off-Grid With Natural Gas to ‘Find Any Way to Get Power’ https://www.naturalgasintel.com/news/data-centers-going-off-grid-with-natural-gas-to-find-any-way-to-get-power/ 'Go Where The Gas Is': Data Centers Follow Fracking In Search For Power https://www.bisnow.com/national/news/data-center-power/go-where-the-gas-is-data-centers-follow-the-fracking-in-search-for-power-131552 Ibid. See 3 International Energy Agency (2025). Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2025. https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/ef5e9b70-3374-4caa-ba9d-19c72253bfc4/GlobalCriticalMineralsOutlook2025.pdf Government of Canada (2025). Energy Fact Book, 2024-2025: Clean power and low carbon fuels. https://energy-information.canada.ca/en/energy-facts/clean-power-low-carbon-fuels Government of Ontario (2023). Ontario Building More Small Modular Reactors to Power Province’s Growth. https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1003248/ontario-building-more-small-modular-reactors-to-power-provinces-growth Governement of Canada (2024). Canada’s Small Modular Reactor Action Plan. https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-sources/nuclear-energy-uranium/canada-s-small-modular-reactor-action-plan Government of Québec (2023). Vers un Québec décarboné et prospère, Plan d’action 2025. https://www.hydroquebec.com/data/a-propos/pdf/plan-action-2035.pdf Economic Development Winnipeg. (n.d). Winnipeg’s cold climate means big savings for MTS Data Centres’ clients. https://www.winnipegedt.com/newsroom/read,post/596/winnipeg-s-cold-climate-means-big-savings-for-mts-data-centres-clients?dismiss=day Government of Canada (2025). Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy. https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ai-strategy/en Government of Canada (2025). Government of Canada launches AI Strategy Task Force and public engagement on the development of the next AI strategy. https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2025/09/government-of-canada-launches-ai-strategy-task-force-and-public-engagement-on-the-development-of-the-next-ai-strategy.html The Dais (2024). From Potential to Performance: Roundtable Report on Canada’s Investment in AI Compute Infrastructure. https://dais.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/AI-Roundtable-Summary-Report_V4.pdf E. Rubayita (2025). Alberta First Nation voices 'grave concern' over Kevin O'Leary's proposed $70B AI data centre. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-first-nation-voices-grave-concern-over-kevin-o-leary-s-proposed-70b-ai-data-centre-1.7431550 Business Council of Canada (2025). Stifled by red tape. https://www.thebusinesscouncil.ca/report/stifled-by-red-tape/ L. Arbour and S. Mayer (2025). Les centres de données au Québec. Bibliothèque de l’Assemblée Nationale. https://premierelecture.bibliotheque.assnat.qc.ca/2025/02/10/les-centres-de-donnees-au-quebec/ Brookfield (2025). United States Government, Brookfield and Cameco Announce Transformational Partnership to Deliver Long-term Value Using Westinghouse Nuclear Reactor Technology. https://bam.brookfield.com/press-releases/united-states-government-brookfield-and-cameco-announce-transformational-partnership
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Adopting a collaborative delivery model: 10 key takeaways from the Alto project to benefit the infrastructure industry
A look back at a panel discussion with Alto, CDPQ Infra and Lavery at the Grand Forum hosted by the Infrastructure Council On November 26, 2025, infrastructure industry leaders have come together this week for a panel discussion on collaborative delivery in infrastructure projects, with a focus on the Alto project, the future high-speed rail project that will transform intercity travel in Canada. The panel, moderated by Lavery partner David Tournier, featured: Sophie Lussier, Executive Vice-President and Head of Corporate Services, Organizational Performance and Secretariat, CDPQ Infra Félix Turgeon, Chief Legal Officer, Alto The panellists shared insights from an innovative public-private partnership along with lessons that apply across the industry. 10 takeaways from the Alto project and collaborative delivery models 1- The largest infrastructure project in Canadian history Alto is Canada’s first ever high-speed rail project, requiring simultaneous early-stage involvement of experts from both the public and private sectors. 2- A collaborative model chosen to create added value This model blends private-sector innovation and efficiency with public-sector vision, governance and accountability. 3- Proactive, structured risk management Risks are identified and allocated from the outset based on each partner’s expertise, a major shift from traditional models. 4- Integrated governance for quick and consistent decision making Joint committees, integrated working groups and ongoing coordination mechanisms help maintain strategic alignment. 5- Strong, clearly articulated public goals The project is intended to: Increase ridership Improve the passenger experience Reduce the environmental footprint Improve accessibility Enhance safety and security Minimize impact on taxpayers Support reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples 6- A project recognized for its potential to transform the country’s future The government wants to accelerate project delivery while ensuring regulatory processes are followed and consultations are held, leaving no room for compromise. 7- Strong community and stakeholder engagement Planning and defining the corridor involves meaningful, ongoing dialogue with affected residents, municipalities and Indigenous communities. 8- A private partner committed for the long haul Cadence will play a role not only in designing and building the project but also in operating and maintaining the future network, aligning its incentives around sustainable performance. 9- A culture of collaboration that is being actively reinforced General meetings, internal newsletters, Alto Academies, and a co-located team, all supporting continuous, day-to-day collaboration that keeps the momentum going. 10- Growing alignment with international trends and innovative practices Bill 62, the Alto–Cadence partnership and international examples show that collaborative delivery models are emerging as a key driver of success for major projects in Canada and Quebec. Panel recap The panel shed light on how collaborative approaches are reshaping delivery models for the most complex infrastructure projects, with the panellists explaining that early stakeholder involvement, transparency and structured risk-sharing make these approaches critical to delivering projects of such magnitude. The discussion highlighted: The integrated governance framework jointly implemented by Alto and Cadence A dynamic based on transparency and quick issue resolution The strategic value of involving private-sector partners early in the project The central role of consultations and social acceptability in moving a transformative project forward Essential elements of a collaborative delivery model Before diving into the Alto case, the panel briefly touched on what collaborative delivery means for infrastructure projects. Unlike traditional models, where the client designs and the contractor executes, collaborative delivery models rely on an integrated approach that brings project owners, designers and contractors together earlier in the project life cycle. This approach involves: Shared governance and joint decision making Integrated risk management Open-book accounting to jointly determine a target cost Mechanisms for sharing savings and cost overruns A commitment to avoid claims and resolve issues internally These models foster greater cooperation and transparency, improving risk sharing and leading to fewer claims. This helps teams stay on schedule and ultimately boosts overall project performance. In Quebec, the trend has gained additional support from Bill 62, passed in 2024. The Bill introduced new “partnership contracts,” making it easier for public bodies to bring in contractors early on and take a collaborative approach to project delivery. Elsewhere, large-scale projects such as Union Station in Toronto, Terminal 5 at Heathrow, and Waaban Bridge in Kingston have shown that collaboration becomes a powerful driver of performance when governance, culture, and contractual frameworks are aligned. And that’s particularly true for non-standard projects. The Alto project, which starts with a five-year co-development phase prior to construction, perfectly illustrates this approach. Conclusion The Alto panel confirmed one thing: to transform the infrastructure industry, we must first transform our approach to collaboration. The Alto–Cadence partnership shows how integrated governance, structured risk sharing and a culture of cooperation help teams navigate complexity more effectively, while generating lasting value for the public.
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Five partners named Canadian leaders in Infrastructure Law by Lexpert
On April 30, 2025, Lexpert recognized the expertise of five of our partners in its 2025 Lexpert Special Edition:Infrastructure. Jean-Sébastien Desroches, Nicolas Gagnon, Édith Jacques, Marc-André Landry and André Vautour now rank among Canada’s leaders in supporting economic players in the infrastructure industry. Jean-Sébastien Desroches practises business law and focuses primarily on mergers and acquisitions, infrastructure, renewable energy and project development as well as strategic partnerships. He has had the opportunity to steer several major transactions—complex legal operations, cross-border transactions, reorganizations, and investments—in Canada and at an international level on behalf of Canadian, American, and European clients and international corporations and institutional clients in the manufacturing, transportation, pharmaceutical, financial, and renewable energy sectors. Nicolas Gagnon focuses his practice on construction law and suretyship. He counsels contractors, public and private sector clients, professional services firms as well as surety companies at every stage of construction projects. He advises clients on the public bidding and procurement processes and participates in the negotiation and drafting of contractual documents involving various project delivery methods, such as public-private partnership projects and design, construction, financing and maintenance contracts. In addition to advising various construction industry stakeholders on construction management and any claims that may arise, he also assists them with dispute resolution processes. Édith Jacques is a partner in the Business Law Group in Montréal. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions and commercial and international law. Édith acts as strategic business advisor for medium to large private companies. Marc-André Landry is a member of the Litigation and Conflict Resolution group and focuses his practice on commercial litigation. He frequently assists his clients in resolving their disputes through negotiation, mediation or arbitration, or before the various courts of law. Over the years, he has represented businesses in many sectors, including construction, real estate, renewable energy, conventional energy, new technologies, financial services and pharmaceuticals. André Vautour practises corporate law and commercial law, and is specifically interested in corporate governance, strategic alliances, joint ventures, investment funds, and mergers and acquisitions of private companies. He also practises technology law (drafting technology development and transfer agreements, licensing agreements, distribution agreements, outsourcing agreements, and e-commerce agreements). About Lavery Lavery is the leading independent law firm in Quebec. Its more than 200 professionals, based in Montréal, Québec City, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières, work every day to offer a full range of legal services to organizations doing business in Quebec. Recognized by the most prestigious legal directories, Lavery professionals are at the heart of what is happening in the business world and are actively involved in their communities. The firm’s expertise is frequently sought after by numerous national and international partners to provide support in cases under Quebec jurisdiction.
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Lexpert Recognizes Four Partners as Leading Insolvency and Restructuring Lawyers in Canada
On October 15, 2024, Lexpert recognized the expertise of four of our partners in its 2024 Lexpert Special Edition: Insolvency and Restructuring. Marc-André Landry, Jean Legault, Ouassim Tadlaoui and Yanick Vlasak now rank among Canada’s leaders in the area of Insolvency and Restructuring. Marc-André Landry is a partner in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution group and focuses his practice on commercial litigation. He frequently assists his clients in resolving their disputes through negotiation, mediation or arbitration, or before the various courts of law. Over the years, he has represented businesses in many sectors, including construction, real estate, renewable energy, conventional energy, new technologies, financial services and pharmaceuticals. Jean Legault is a partner in the Litigation group in the commercial litigation, banking, and insolvency sector. With more than 20 years’ experience in commercial litigation, he specializes in banking law and insolvency. He primarily advises financial institutions, institutional investors as well as trustees in bankruptcy in restructuring and insolvency cases. Ouassim Tadlaoui is a partner in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution group. He focuses his practice on banking litigation, restructuring, bankruptcy, insolvency and construction surety bonds. He represents chartered banks and other financial institutions and alternative lenders as creditors, as well as certain debtors, in bankruptcy or restructuring mandates. He also represents and advises surety companies as well as national and international companies in matters of insolvency, bankruptcy and restructuring in the construction industry. Yanick Vlasak is a partner and a member of Lavery’s Business law group and its specialized Restructuring, insolvency, and banking law group. His practice is focused on commercial litigation, financing, banking law, insolvency, and financial restructuring. He also has expertise in construction law, shareholder disputes and arrangements, and asset protection measures. About Lavery Lavery is the leading independent law firm in Quebec. Its more than 200 professionals, based in Montréal, Quebec, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières, work every day to offer a full range of legal services to organizations doing business in Quebec. Recognized by the most prestigious legal directories, Lavery professionals are at the heart of what is happening in the business world and are actively involved in their communities. The firm's expertise is frequently sought after by numerous national and international partners to provide support in cases under Quebec jurisdiction.
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Lexpert Recognizes Four Partners as Leading Infrastructures Lawyers in Canada
On May 13, 2024, Lexpert recognized the expertise of four of our partners in its 2024 Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure. Jean-Sébastien Desroches, Nicolas Gagnon, Marc-André Landry and André Vautour now rank among Canada's leaders in the area of infrastructure law. Jean-Sébastien Desroches practices business law and focuses primarily on mergers and acquisitions, infrastructure, renewable energy and project development as well as strategic partnerships. He has had the opportunity to steer several major transactions, complex legal operations, cross-border transactions, reorganizations, and investments in Canada and at an international level on behalf of Canadian, American and European clients, international corporations and institutional clients in the manufacturing, transportation, pharmaceutical, financial and renewable energy sectors. Nicolas Gagnon specializes in construction law and surety law. He counsels public and private sector clients, professional services firms and contractors as well as surety companies at every stage of construction projects. He advises clients on the public bidding and procurement processes and participates in the negotiation and drafting of contractual documents involving various project delivery methods, such as public-private partnership projects and design, construction, financing and maintenance contracts. In addition to advising various construction industry stakeholders on construction management and any claims that may arise, he also assists them with dispute resolution processes. Marc-André Landry is a member of the Litigation and Conflict Resolution group and focuses his practice on commercial litigation. He frequently assists his clients in resolving their disputes through negotiation, mediation or arbitration, or before the various courts of law. Over the years, he has represented businesses in many sectors, including construction, real estate, renewable energy, conventional energy, new technologies, financial services and pharmaceuticals. André Vautour practices in the fields of corporate and commercial law and is particularly interested in corporate governance, strategic alliances, joint ventures, investment funds and mergers and acquisitions of private corporations. He also practises in the field of technology law (drafting technology development and transfer agreements, licensing agreements, distribution agreements, outsourcing agreements, and e-commerce agreements). About Lavery Lavery is the leading independent law firm in Quebec. Its more than 200 professionals, based in Montréal, Quebec, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières, work every day to offer a full range of legal services to organizations doing business in Quebec. Recognized by the most prestigious legal directories, Lavery professionals are at the heart of what is happening in the business world and are actively involved in their communities. The firm's expertise is frequently sought after by numerous national and international partners to provide support in cases under Quebec jurisdiction.
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