Government of Canada provides early decision on Mihta Askiy Data Center Project in Alberta

Press Release

From: Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

April 17, 2026 – Ottawa, Ontario – Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) completed an assessment of the Mihta Askiy Data Center Project, located in Alberta, and determined that its potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through other means.

To arrive at its section 16 decision under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), IAAC engaged other jurisdictions, federal experts, stakeholders, the public, and Indigenous Peoples to review the project description and identify potential effects within federal jurisdiction and frameworks to address these potential effects.

IAAC is of the view that the potential adverse effects within federal jurisdiction would be limited or addressed through existing federal and provincial laws and regulations. These include, but are not limited to, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, the Fisheries Act, the Species at Risk Act, and Alberta’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Hydro and Electric Energy Act, Historical Resources Act, Water Act, and Public Lands Act.

As a result, no further assessment under the Impact Assessment Act is required and the federal impact assessment process is now complete. As a next step, Cree Ative Datacenter Corp GP (the proponent) will be required to seek any necessary federal and provincial authorizations and permits for the project.

The documents and list of factors considered can be found in IAAC’s Notice of Early Decision with Reasons.

Quick facts

• Cree Ative Datacenter Corp GP is proposing the development of a new power-generating facility fueled by natural gas, located about 40 kilometres northeast of Peace River, Alberta. As proposed, the power generation facility would have a production capacity of 650 megawatts to support a new data centre. The project would have a two-stage design, initially with simple-cycle natural gas turbine technology which would later be converted to combined cycle technology. The project is expected to operate for 30 years.
• The review process from start to finish took 64 days to complete.
• IAAC facilitates the sustainable development of major projects subject to the IAA through open and efficient assessments. These assessments identify ways to ensure the environment and Indigenous Rights are protected as projects get built. To support needed investment in major projects, we work closely with other jurisdictions to achieve the goal of “one project, one assessment”.
• Decisions like these ensure that Canada’s impact assessment process is efficient by determining at an early stage whether further assessment under the IAA is required.

Associated links

• Mihta Askiy Data Center Project (Impact Assessment Agency of Canada)
• Impact Assessment Process Overview (Impact Assessment Agency of Canada)
• Canada’s impact assessment system (Impact Assessment Agency of Canada)

Contacts

Media Relations
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
media@iaac-aeic.gc.ca

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