More than 500 people opposed to data centres and artificial intelligence marched through downtown Vancouver on Saturday, May 23, 2026, led by 18-year-old university student Torin LaRocque. The protest, which began at Waterfront Station and proceeded down Granville Street across the Granville Bridge to Granville Island, called on the federal government to halt plans for expanding AI data centres in the city.
Protest Details
LaRocque, who had little prior experience organizing protests, decided to act after observing community resistance to AI data centre expansion in the United States. The crowd chanted 'use your brain' and carried signs, including one asking 'do you want a world run on hallucinations?' Vancouver Police monitored the march, which disrupted southbound traffic on the Granville Street Bridge.
Planned Data Centre Projects
The federal government has proposed converting the former Hootsuite office building at 111 East 5th Ave. into an AI data centre starting late this year, and building a 10-storey centre at 150 West Georgia St. expected to open in 2029. These projects, involving Telus, would consume tens of megawatts of electricity. The government claims the facilities will be built responsibly using a cooling system that reduces energy use by 80% and water consumption by 90%, with waste heat captured to potentially warm over 150,000 homes in Metro Vancouver.
Economic and Environmental Concerns
The initiative is expected to deliver $9 billion in economic value to British Columbia, creating over 1,000 construction jobs and 525 permanent jobs across three data centres, including one in Kamloops. However, LaRocque and other critics raise concerns about rising electricity demand, massive water consumption, and air pollution. 'Vancouver is in the middle of a housing crisis and water shortage,' LaRocque said. 'These centres will use more heat and water — it seems counterintuitive to me.'
Political Opposition
B.C. Greens Leader Emily Lowan has called for a halt to AI data centre construction until environmental, health, and security risks are better understood and regulated. LaRocque vowed to continue organizing until the government listens.
