Canada’s digital-infrastructure industry has launched a new coalition designed to be a a united voice for more data-centre development as billions of dollars are being invested in the sector.

The coalition’s members include data centre developers, cloud providers, co-location operators, equipment suppliers and their partners.

The Canadian Coalition for Digital Infrastructure (CCDI) aims to promote the sector’s growth and long-term sustainability. The coalition also wants to unify the industry at a time when numerous private-sector investments are planned over the next five years and demand for digital capacity is accelerating.

“The Western Canada Data Centre Alliance welcomes the formation of the CCDI and recognizes the value in a national association to advocate for Canada’s data centre industry and the economic growth and job creation tied to this sector,” said Vlad Oujegov, president and founder of the Western Canada Data Centre Alliance.

“Digital infrastructure has become essential infrastructure and is key to competitiveness. The alliance looks forward to collaborating closely with the CCDI to advance our shared objectives.”

Companies involved in the coalition include Amazon Web Services; Beacon AI Centres; Cologix; construction firm EllisDon; Equinix; eStruxture; Schneider Electric; STACK Americas and Vantage.

The sector already supports tens of thousands of Canadian jobs, a figure expected to climb as organizations expand cloud, AI and digital-transformation efforts, according to the CCDI.

The coalition’s mandate includes advancing digital sovereignty, boosting environmental sustainability, securing energy capacity for future expansion, and strengthening the skilled workforce needed to support the country’s increasingly digital economy. As federal and provincial governments introduce policies to attract investment and new players enter the market, the CCDI intends to co-ordinate industry-wide strategies to ensure Canada capitalizes on emerging opportunities.

The coalition stresses that world-class digital infrastructure — particularly data centres— is now as essential to national prosperity as historic trade and transportation networks. These facilities underpin cloud services, AI applications, financial systems and other tools relied on by sectors ranging from health care and research to small business and public services, says the group.

CCDI members say their combined efforts will help Canada capture AI-driven economic opportunities while remaining globally competitive. The coalition will also lead public and stakeholder education on the importance of digital infrastructure and advocate for policies that support data-centre growth nationwide.

By working to align private industry, governments, utilities, academia and the innovation ecosystem, the CCDI aims to strengthen Canada’s position as a premier destination for global digital infrastructure investment and build the capacity needed for future growth.