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ECMWF data centre, Bologna, Italy, September 2021

Minnesota organizers hope data centers capture voters’ attention

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By Mike Moen – Producer /Minnesota News Connection

Data center proposals are still being watched closely by Minnesotans as mid-term election approach.

Some organizations tracking the movement hope it becomes a kitchen-table issue for voters.

Several nonprofits and local organizers have developed a new website meant to inform voters about the projects and how they intersect with the midterms.

Sarah Mooradian, government relations and policy director for the rural-focused advocacy group CURE, says the online tool provides an array of data center-related questions voters can ask candidates appearing on their ballot.

If a response is unlikely, voters can use the guide to inform their research of candidate platforms through trusted sources.

She adds there is plenty of ground to cover.

“Transparency, energy use, water use, the big issues that we’re seeing everywhere in Minnesota, (and) frankly, across the country, that candidates really should be aware of and should have an answer for,” outlines Mooradian.

She points out some candidates have stances on data centers listed on their campaign websites, while many are still generally quiet on the issue or have not been pressed on their approach regarding regulations.

Despite community backlash around the region, hyperscale data centers still have supporters, including labour unions.

A number of unions have called for responsible data center development.

On the campaign trail, Mooradian notes there appears to be bipartisan consensus that more transparency is needed, especially for non-disclosure agreements between project developers and local governments.

For other ways to regulate this type of development, it is not as straightforward when measuring what candidates would do.

“There might be superficial alignment and agreement, but the details are where people start to just go in different directions,” says Mooradian.

In 2025, the Minnesota Legislature took some oversight action as data center projects quickly surfaced, but CURE and partner groups still call for tighter rules, including enforceable water permit and reporting requirements and mandatory environmental impact statements.

A project was proposed for International Falls a decade ago and supported by Koochiching County and the city, but never materialized.

Early voting in Minnesota runs through November 2nd, and Election Day is November 3rd.

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Fort Frances notices differences in municipal election voter lists

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Some eyebrows are being raised about the number of eligible voters in Fort Frances.

Elections Ontario took over compiling the lists from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.

It lists over 6,700 eligible voters, an increase of 1,400 from 2022.

In the last official count, the 2021 Census counted 7,466 residents, with approximately 6,000 of voting age.

Town officials do not explain the discrepancy, but say they have been handling a number of calls from residents who are learning they are not on the list this year despite voting in previous elections.

They encourage them, and anyone else who did not receive voter information, to visit the Civic Centre on election day from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Be sure to bring identification and anything that shows your address.

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Fort Frances candidates for mayor

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Two candidates for mayor are seeking voter support in the municipal election in Fort Frances.

John McTaggart and Brent Calder outlined their platforms at a recent candidates’ forum.

John McTaggart, October 2026. Image: Johnathan Price/Acadia Broadcasting

McTaggart is a two-term councillor looking to take over from Andrew Hallikas, who opted not to seek another term in office.

“My decades of business experience and my two terms of council, I believe, will provide you with the best choice for the next mayor of our great town,” says McTaggart.

McTaggart sees several priorities for the next council, including a need to grow its industrial base that will help increase the tax base and create new jobs.

He sees the development of new energy projects as helping achieve that goal.

“We are quickly being recognized for our move to be a green energy producer,” says McTaggart.

“And that will open doors to businesses that require that green power. We will look to piggyback on those initiatives to grow industry right here in Fort Frances.

McTaggart says council and administration have to have the attitude that Fort Frances is open to business, and be ready for development without red tape and delays.

“I will commit to you that I will work every day to source and promote new business opportunities in industry to help us grow Fort Frances,” says McTaggart.

The two-term councillor sees the need for more housing, noting his involvement in the development of a new apartment complex scheduled for the former Shevlin woodyard in the near future.

He sees room for more developers with similar projects.

“I drive through small communities in the outskirts of Winnipeg, I see many new apartment buildings, and we need to source who those developers are and attract them to Fort Francis to help meet our needs,” says McTaggart.

Brent Calder, October 2026. Image: Johnathan Price/Acadia Broadcasting

His opponent Brent Calder also places housing high on his agenda as he seeks to become the town’s newest mayor.

He says it is necessary for the local economy to thrive and prosper.

“If we don’t have the houses, we can’t do economic development,” says Calder.

“We’ve got all kinds of properties, and I’ve talked to some of the contractors, and they’re willing to build houses, so we’ve got to start with some of our properties because right now they’re not getting any tax dollars from them.”

Calder operated businesses in Fort Frances, relocated to Alberta after the mill closed to run several large companies before returning.

While a newcomer to the municipal political scene, he feels he has gained the experience necessary.

“I’ve been in the leadership role all my life,” says Calder.

“I managed to build roads and industrial construction. I’m hoping these projects have given me extensive experience in leadership, financial management, project planning, budgeting and team building. I believe these skills will help me guide workplaces into the future.”

He feels the town needs to be more transparent and supports the return of council committees.

“I think when Fort Frances started cutting back the (council) committees, it lost an avenue where the councillors weren’t getting a lot of information. And the result is that we had some pretty hot items come up,” says Calder.

Calder is also not sold on the development of a roundabout at the Central Avenue/2nd/3rd/4th Street intersection, saying it is a priority right now.

He cites other issues, such as addressing the community’s homeless as more important.

“We have let that problem get into a major problem here. We should have done something five or six years ago. Don’t get me wrong, we have to protect the homeless, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of individuals.”

Voting day is October 26th.

Fort Frances Civic Centre June 2024 (2)

Voting in Fort Frances municipal election starts Saturday

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Voting in the Fort Frances municipal election starts Saturday.

Eligible voters should have received a special PIN by mail to cast ballots online or by phone.

Voting opens at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Town Clerk Chelsea Greig says voters will have 10 days to vote.

“It will run until October 26th at 8 p.m.,” says Greig.

“We’re going to have voters vote online or by telephone during that time, 24/7, but we’ll also have in-person assistance throughout those 10 days..

Greig is planning some outreach at local seniors’ homes and apartment complexes, the library and the United Native Friendship Centre, for those without access to the Internet or a device, or who need assistance to vote.

There will also be an area set up in the council chambers at the Fort Frances Civic Centre during voting hours on October 26th, the official date of the municipal election.

Residents who failed to register to vote can do so right up to election day.

“We’ll have forms for people so that they can demonstrate that they are an eligible voter. If they’re not on the list, we can still make sure that they can vote,” says Greig.

There are 6,751 eligible voters already registered.

Anyone who did not receive their special PIN to vote is encouraged to contact the clerk’s office before election day.

Flag of New Brunswick

N.B. Liberals still have top support, poll finds

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A recent survey has found the New Brunswick Liberals and Premier Susan Holt continue to be the favoured party to run the province.

The New Brunswick omnibus survey, conducted by Abacus Data, found the Liberals lead the PC’s by 14 points amongst decided voters.

Abacus Data New Brunswick omnibus poll (August 2026)

It found that if a provincial election were held today, 45 per cent would vote Liberal, compared with 31 per cent for the Progressive Conservatives.

This poll is based on over 600 New Brunswickers who were surveyed between July 29 and August 7.

The poll also found that regionally, the Liberal advantage is strongest in northern New Brunswick. 65 per cent of decided voters in the North support the Liberals, compared with 22 per cent for the PCs and 7 per cent for the Greens. In the South, the Liberals also lead, with 42 per cent compared with 33 per cent for the PCs and 12 per cent for the Greens. Central New Brunswick is the exception, where the PCs lead with 38 per cent, followed by the Greens at 29 per cent and the Liberals at 27 per cent.

When asked the three most important issues facing Canada and Canadians today, 74 per cent chose the cost of living, health care was next at 47 per cent followed by housing affordability and accessibility at 35 per cent. The economy and Donald Trump and his administration tied at 31 per cent, followed by immigration at 20 per cent.

CUPE LTC Strike

Long-term care workers ratify tentative agreement, other locals to vote

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The union that represents long-term care workers says CUPE members at St. Vincent’s Nursing Home have ratified their new tentative agreement.

CUPE says it happened late Wednesday night and will now be voted on by other locals throughout Nova Scotia in coming days and weeks.

“I’m incredibly proud of the world the Lead Table bargaining team did,” says Community Care Committee Chair Christa Sweeney in a news release.

“It was a long, tiring process and it wouldn’t have been possible withouth the tremendous support and solidarity shown by long term care workers province-wide.”

For eight weeks, 3,600 from 36 nursing homes across the province, walked the picket lines fighting for higher wages.

The tentative deal was reached June 6 that involved a minimum $5 raise for all workers as well as additional wages for supervising and training students, and improved layoff protections.

Local 1082 acts as the Lead Table for the long-term sector bargaining. If other locals accept the deal, the strike will come to an end.

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Student vote program sees 50K ballots cast across N.B.

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The results are in! Students across New Brunswick got a real feel for politics through a hands-on experiential learning program that brings the voting process into the classroom.

On May 11, students from elementary, middle, and high school cast more than 50,000 mock ballots for official candidates in a parallel election.

In the end, 112 schools across 51 municipalities submitted their Student Vote results. Ballots were cast for mayors, councillors, advisory committee members, and district council members.

Fredericton led the way, with 3,370 students participating across 13 schools in the city.

All municipality results are available online, broken down into by each individual school.

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It’s municipal election day in New Brunswick

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The polls opened at 10 a.m. on Monday as New Brunswickers began casting ballots for municipal elections.

If you’ve received your voter information card, it will show where you need to vote today. If it did not arrive in the mail, there are some easy steps to help you find out where you need to vote.

“Visit the Elections New Brunswick website, and there’s a ‘ Where Do I Vote ‘ link, and all you have to do is put in your civic address, and it will tell you where your polling station is. It will also give you information on the contests and candidates that you’ll be voting on. If you don’t have access to a computer, you can call our call centre, 1-888-858-VOTE, and it will be fully staffed today to let people know where they can go vote,” Elections NB Chief Electoral Officer Kim Poffenroth explained.

You’ll also need to bring along a piece of ID or a document that contains your name, address and a signature.

“A driver’s license is the ideal piece of identification because it contains all of those. If you don’t have one, a combination of other documents, such as a New Brunswick Medicare card and a utility bill, phone bill or lease with your name and address on it, will be sufficient. If you don’t have any of those, you can bring someone with you who can vouch for you who votes at the same location as you do,” Poffenroth stressed.

She said a good example of this is a young voter who just turned 18, doesn’t have a driver’s license and lives with their parents. They usually don’t have a utility bill, so if they come to vote with their parents, then the parents can vouch that they do live with them.

New Brunswickers can vote right up until 8 p.m. tonight, but Poffenroth recommends you get there before that.

“If you’re there at 8 p.m., there will be a poll worker at the end of the line, not allowing any more people to get in line. If you could aim for a little bit earlier, so that you know you arrive at your polling station on time.”

All of the ballots will look a bit different, based on how many council members you need to vote for.

“There are a number of contests on these ballots. There are mayors, there are ward councillors, some municipalities have councillors at large, there are elections for both Francophone and Anglophone district education councillors, and in the rural areas, they’re voting for representatives on their rural district advisory committees. In some cases, there are contests in which the candidates have been acclaimed. So no two ballots will necessarily look the same,” Poffenroth explained.

When you receive your ballot at the polling station, you need to colour in the circle next to the names of the individuals you are voting for.

“People should start to see some initial results as early as, I expect, 8:10 pm or 8:15 pm on Monday. We do have some very rural locations, and it may be quite some time before some of those results get transmitted. We do have polling stations in areas that don’t have any cell signal at all. So they will have to return their materials to the returning office before we receive those results. So although there will be some initial results fairly quickly, there will be other results that may be several hours before they’re published on the Elections NB website.” Poffenroth stated.

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Time is almost up to run for municipal council

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Hard deadlines today for those wanting to run in the upcoming municipal or local school board elections.

Your nomination papers must be submitted no later than 2 pm on Friday, April 10.

Elections NB Chief Electoral Officer Kim Poffenroth says it’s not unusual for New Brunswickers to wait until the last minute in municipal elections to submit their nomination paperwork to get their name on the ballot.

Several new names were added to the candidates’ lists just this week.

You can visit the Elections NB website to see who is running.

Election day is May 11.