Anti-AI data-centre rally planned for downtown Vancouver

No AI Vancouver plans to hold a stationary rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, opposing proposed AI data-centre development in the city.

Organizer Guerric Haché said the group wants city council to pause hyperscale data-centre projects until a regulatory framework addresses impacts, democratic participation and community benefits. Hundreds of people are expected at the event, which will include speakers and community activities rather than a march; organizers say traffic will not be affected.

Speakers are expected from PACES, a group of parents advocating caution around AI in educational spaces, and IASTE 891, the Canadian Animation Guild. The group says its petition calling for a stop to the Vancouver AI Data Centre had more than 17,000 signatures at publication.

The rally follows council's unanimous decision to rescind its July 14 referral of a rezoning application for 111 East 5th Ave. and 2060 Quebec St. to a public hearing. The proposal involves a major renovation of the six-storey M3 office building in Westbank's Main Alley tech campus. Council deferred the hearing and decision, citing exceptional public interest and concerns that it could not hear from all registered speakers.

Haché said opponents are concerned about jobs, electricity demand, ratepayer costs and the process by which data-centre and generative-AI decisions are made. The issue could become part of the Oct. 17, 2026 civic-election campaign.