First Nation to get in-person meeting with Alberta after cancelling virtual discussion about AI centre

The Alberta government is working to co-ordinate an in-person meeting with a northern Alberta First Nation to discuss an ambitious plan from celebrity investor Kevin O'Leary to build a massive artificial intelligence data centre. 

Last week, the chief of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation sent a letter to Premier Danielle Smith and several cabinet ministers, cancelling his participation in a scheduled Feb. 24 meeting with government officials, saying the discussion's format was giving short-shrift to the band's concerns.

"We were surprised to learn that this meeting was only scheduled for 30 minutes and would be held virtually. We understood it was in person and for at least an hour," Chief Sheldon Sunshine said in the Feb. 12 letter.

"On its face, it seems that this meeting is being set up to provide a tick on the box so that the province can say they've fulfilled their duty to consult," Sunshine wrote. 

Plans for the $70-billion Wonder Valley project, slated to be built in the Municipal District of Greenview, were announced in December by O'Leary Ventures. Its location near Grande Prairie, Alta., about 455 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, would put it on traditional territory of the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. 

Sunshine's letter also questions whether the government was intentionally trying to evade treaty rights and its obligation to consult with First Nations. 

According to the letter, the First Nation met in January with representatives from O'Leary Ventures, "who at least had the respect to come to our reserve for a couple of hours." That meeting did not answer all the questions or concerns about the project, Sunshine wrote.  

"When we meet with government, we expect to have a substantive discussion regarding your decisions that will negatively impact our rights, especially in this case. We expect more than introductions. We cannot in good faith attend this meeting as scheduled."

A provincial government spokesperson confirmed to CBC on Tuesday that efforts are underway to book an in-person meeting between Sunshine and Rick Wilson, the provincial Indigenous Relations minister.

Concerns first raised in January

Sunshine first voiced his concerns about the project in January, when he sent an open letter to Smith expressing "grave concern" with the proposal and reminding the province of its obligations under Treaty 8. At the time, a government spokesperson confirmed consultation would be done.

In a Feb. 14 letter responding to Sunshine's concerns about the scheduled Feb. 24 meeting, Wilson emphasized that Alberta would be mindful of protecting Treaty rights.

"We remain committed to meaningful consultation with First Nations when projects may adversely affect these rights or traditional uses and to accommodate where appropriate," he wrote.

"Alberta's government consistently meets its legal and constitutional duty to consult, and the courts have upheld our consultation process."  

The Municipal District of Greenview has agreed to partner with O'Leary Ventures by building the off-grid natural gas and geothermal power capacity needed to enable the project to work. 

The M.D. and the company have signed a letter of intent for the purchase and development of thousands of acres of land within the Greenview Industrial Gateway. 

A spokesperson for Wilson confirmed to CBC News that provincial government money is not involved in the project.

In his letter, Wilson said the provincial environment department has issued a preliminary certificate outlining conditions that must be met before a licence under the Water Act is issued. 

"The preliminary certificate does not, on its own, create any entitlement to water. Issuance of a Water Act licence remains contingent upon meeting all mandatory conditions, including appropriate consultation with First Nations," he said.

Wilson's letter goes on to explain the province is committed to balancing economic development with the protection of Treaty rights and traditional uses. 

CBC requested comment from both Sunshine and O'Leary Ventures but did not receive any response.