Canadian imports of equipment used in data centres surged 88 per cent year over year in June, signalling that the country’s artificial intelligence boom is advancing from proposals to construction.

Statistics Canada reported the figures Aug. 5. Imports of computers and computer peripherals reached a record in April, while the category was 24.7 per cent higher during the first four months of 2026 than in the same period last year.

Equipment is ordered as projects approach installation and commissioning, after developers have secured sites, power and approvals.

Meta broke ground July 8 on its first Canadian data centre in Sturgeon County, Alta. The one-gigawatt campus represents an investment of more than $13 billion and will be the company’s largest data centre outside the United States. About 3,000 workers are expected at peak construction, with more than 300 jobs planned.

Clark Builders and PCL Construction are delivering the campus through a joint venture. Meta is investing $60 million in roads and water infrastructure.

Bell began early work April 21 on a 300-megawatt data centre near Regina after the Rural Municipality of Sherwood approved a development agreement. Contractors are handling earthworks, piling, concrete, steel and construction. Telus is expanding in Kamloops and developing two Vancouver facilities.

Statistics Canada said April’s increase was driven by processing units shipped from Ireland for use in data centres. Ireland is a technology manufacturing and distribution hub, where equipment containing sourced components can be configured before export.

The projects require industrial sites, electrical equipment, cooling systems, fibre connections and contractors. Substations, backup generation and security infrastructure add to construction requirements.

Power access remains the main constraint. The Alberta Electric System Operator said 29 projects were seeking more than 16 gigawatts of grid connections in June 2025, compared with a 1.2-gigawatt connection limit through 2028.

Municipal reviews could narrow the pipeline. Mississauga council has directed staff to draft an interim-control bylaw that would pause data centre applications for one year while the city studies their effects. Rocky View County, Alta., has paused proposals while it develops regulations, a significant decision in a province facing unprecedented demand from projects.