Data centre construction in Canada: projects, trades and pay

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Frost Collective is the general contractor for Meta’s project. It is a joint venture of Clark Builders and PCL Construction. Stantec and SLB are also on the delivery team.

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Data centre projects with construction underway

How many workers these builds need

Three construction workforce estimates, from three sources.

• Meta, at peak construction: Meta expects about 3,000 construction workers on site.

• Bell’s initial project, throughout construction: the Government of Saskatchewan expects more than 800 local jobs across trades.

• Greenlight, at peak construction: Greenlight expects more than 1,000 workers.

• Greenlight, work hours: Greenlight expects nearly 4.5 million hours of work.

Greenlight is the gas-fired plant being built to supply the Meta data centre.

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Typical data centre trades

These trades are typical for a data centre build. They are not jobs posted by any one project.

Trades Alberta names on the Meta project

• The Government of Alberta says Frost Collective employs Alberta electricians, pipefitters, crane operators and engineers on the project.[5]

Pay in Alberta and Saskatchewan

Hourly · Data from 2023 to 2024 · Dated November 19, 2025

Tickets in Alberta and Saskatchewan

To do restricted work in the Alberta compulsory trades listed below, you need one of these:

• A registered apprenticeship, working under a certified journeyperson.

• A journeyperson certificate.

• A recognized trade certificate.

These Alberta compulsory trades include:

• Electrician

• Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic

• Sheet Metal Worker

• Steamfitter-Pipefitter

• Plumber

• Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator: Mobile Crane and Tower Crane branches

In Saskatchewan’s compulsory apprenticeship trades listed below, you must be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyperson. If you are not certified, you must register within six months (900 hours) of starting work in the trade.

Saskatchewan’s compulsory apprenticeship trades are:

• Construction Electrician

• Plumber

• Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic

• Sheet Metal Worker

• Sprinkler Fitter

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Power supply and grid connections

Data centres need a lot of power, and grid space for them is limited. Alberta’s first temporary limit allows large power users to connect 1,200 MW to the grid. The grid operator has assigned all of it. Other large users enter a second phase.

Meta’s campus combines a 970 MW grid connection with its own power supply from Greenlight. Greenlight is a separate 932 MW gas-fired plant in Sturgeon County.

The Alberta Utilities Commission approved Greenlight on June 19, 2026. The commission decides power plant applications; it does not approve or regulate data centres. Aecon and Técnicas Reunidas hold Greenlight’s engineering, procurement and construction contract.

In Saskatchewan, a company proposing a new data centre must supply its own power. The first phase of Bell’s transmission connection is expected to be finished by the end of 2026.

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Data centres still being planned

Indigenous agreements and engagement

• Bell Canada signed an agreement with George Gordon First Nation focused on Indigenous participation and workforce development.[6][15]

• The Sturgeon Data Centre project team says it is committed to working with Indigenous communities, organizations and businesses. That includes workforce participation and training.[1]

Related pages

• Major projects in Canada for trades workers
• Electrician resume
• How to get hired on a major project in Canada
• How Werko checks facts