Enabling large-scale sovereign AI data centres

• Duly completed proposal form (obtained upon request by email at ai-infrastructure-ia@ised-isde.gc.ca).
• Signed consent authorizing Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) to share the contents of the proposal with other government partners (as indicated in the form).

• The applicant must be a Canadian company or a Canadian consortium.
• The proposal must be to establish a large-scale sovereign AI data centre in Canada intended for commercial purposes.
• The project must have a planned total capacity of more than 100 MW and be designed to serve a broad range of Canadian clients.
• The submission must explain how the project meets the Government of Canada’s evaluation criteria (including economic and ecosystem benefits, Indigenous participation, sovereignty factors, energy considerations, performance capacity, readiness, and project cost/structure).
• The completed proposal form must be submitted by email to ai-infrastructure-ia@ised-isde.gc.ca by February 15, 2026.

Who is eligible?

• Canadian companies
• Canadian consortia

Eligible geographic areas

• Canada

• Project benefits for the economy and the broader ecosystem.
• Indigenous participation.
• Sovereignty-related factors.
• Energy considerations.
• Performance capability, readiness, and the project’s cost and structure.

• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) reviews submitted proposals through a competitive selection process to identify projects for potential future consideration.
• ISED may share the proposal with other federal partners and, if necessary, provincial/territorial and municipal governments to support evaluation or referral to a third party.
• Proposals are handled in accordance with the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.
• Artificial intelligence may be used to help summarize submitted proposals to improve review efficiency.
• Selected project proponents may be asked to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Government of Canada.

• The proposal submission window runs from January 15 to February 15, 2026.
• Submissions are part of a competitive process to identify projects for potential future consideration.
• Information submitted may be shared by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada with other federal partners and, if deemed necessary for assessment, with provincial/municipal bodies or third parties.
• Submitted information will be handled in accordance with Canada’s Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, and AI may be used to help summarize proposals to support the review process.