On Friday, September 11, the Provincial government continued its AI data centre townhall tour, making a stop in Grande Prairie.
During the event, some attendees had the opportunity to ask questions about data centres, that may concern them.
Answering the questions were Minister of Technology and Innovation of Alberta Nate Glubish. The event was also attended by MLA’s Nolan Dyck and Ron Wiebe.
After a near 90 minute question period, there were still people waiting in line to answer a question. Attendee Shaun Fugleberg says there was about 20 people waiting to ask a question, before they were cut off because the event was coming to an end.
“There was probably about 20 people left to speak when they shut it down.”
Fugleberg added that he thinks the attendees weren’t given enough time to share their concerns.
“What I think, is that we weren’t really given enough time to actually get out all of the questions that were left.”
“I know that they were giving everybody 45 seconds to speak, and then Mr. Glubish was getting his answers which that is what we are here to hear. But, I feel that if he is spending five minutes giving an answer, they should give that five minutes back to the crowd to speak.”
When attendees had the opportunity to ask their question, some people thought that the Minister did not give a good enough answer.
Attendee Shae Loewen, says she thinks the government came in with their own agenda, and they were going to stick with it.
“I don’t think they really cared what we have to say. I think they have their agenda and their going to run with it.”
“I think they are really good at not answering questions, it’s always go to the website, talk to your MLA’s, well the MLA’s were there [at the town hall] they didn’t say anything.”
On the other hand, attendee Kelly Persson says he thinks that Minister Glubish did a great job answering questions.
“I think the Minister done a hell of a job with a hostile crowd that I believe were paid protesters.”
“They had no respect for him [Minister Glubish] they come here to argue.”
Grande Prairie was the third stop for the tour.
