REGINA, Sask. — Regina city councillors will consider how a proposed artificial intelligence data centre could affect the city, along with potential changes to lead water pipe replacement costs and financial assistance for properties damaged by heavy rainfall, when council meets Wednesday afternoon.
The regular council meeting begins at 1 p.m. on Oct. 14 at Regina City Hall.
One of the key items is a motion from councillors Sarah Turnbull, Victoria Flores, Shobna Radons and Shanon Zachidniak seeking a report on the potential effects of Bell Canada's proposed AI Fabric data centre campus in the Rural Municipality of Sherwood.
The motion notes that the project began as an approved 300-megawatt campus, while Bell has since announced plans for up to 900 megawatts of additional capacity, creating a path to 1.2 gigawatts.
Councillors want city administration to examine Regina's role in the project, including any agreements with the developer and the potential use of municipal water. The requested assessment would also consider impacts on the city's water supply, stormwater and wastewater systems, other infrastructure and options for recovering costs associated with serving a development outside city limits.
The motion asks for an assessment of the project's implications for Regina. It does not itself approve or reject the data centre.
Lead pipe replacement costs also on agenda
Council will also consider the 2025 update to Regina's Lead Service Connection Management Program, which includes recommendations intended to keep an accelerated replacement timeline through 2036 on track.
One proposed change would cap homeowners' contributions at $5,000 for replacing lead water service connections on private property. Administration is also being asked to bring the utility-rate impacts of the recommended options forward during the 2027 budget process.
The recommendations would require changes to the city's water service bylaw to implement the proposed contribution limit.
Disaster assistance after September rainfall
Council will also discuss an application to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency to have Regina designated as an eligible assistance area under the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program.
The request follows significant rainfall on Sept. 6 and 7 that damaged properties across the city. The designation would allow the city to seek assistance through the provincial program for eligible disaster-related losses.
Council will also receive the 2026 semi-annual report from the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation, which supplies treated water to Regina and Moose Jaw.
Non-profit tax relief and property liens
Councillors will consider proposed property-tax exemptions for community non-profit organizations for 2027, subject to any required approvals from the provincial government or separate school divisions.
The recommendations also include a 95.07 per cent abatement of 2026 property taxes for the property leased by Nēwo Yōtina Friendship Centre for the full year and the property leased by Ranch Ehrlo Society for nine months.
A separate report concerns properties subject to 2026 tax liens. Council is being asked to authorize six-month notices for the affected properties, allow further tax-enforcement steps after the notice period expires and cancel taxes and penalties deemed uncollectable for properties identified in the report.
Fire services and internal audits
The agenda also includes an update on Regina's Fire Master Plan, which was considered by the Executive Committee before being forwarded to council.
Councillors will also consider an internal audit work plan through the Audit and Finance Committee. The agenda lists the report but does not detail its individual audit priorities.
Council will begin by confirming its agenda and approving minutes from its Sept. 22 and 23 meetings before considering committee reports and the Bell AI data centre motion.
The meeting is scheduled to take place Wednesday afternoon at City Hall. Residents can watch the proceedings through the city's meeting-streaming service.
