Midcoast Morning

Plans for a data centre in Nanaimo have generated significant attention in recent weeks. The centre is proposed for 2090 East Wellington Road, and the area was rezoned in 2023. A CBC article about data centres and water use published in October made reference to Nanaimo, which has generated renewed interest and concern from members of the public. A data centre is a building that houses computer servers and other infrastructure, and there are different types of data centres with different resource requirements.

The company looking to build the centre in Nanaimo was incorporated in Ontario in 2020. In 2024, it registered the business name MAPLECOLO. A website for MAPLECOLO describes itself as a leader in Canadian data centres, specializing in Quantum-Safe Colocation and Symmetric-Key Distribution via DSKE technology. The site references a new facility in Nanaimo which it notes “enhances protection against quantum threats, combining traditional expertise with innovative solutions to revolutionize data security.” Our newsroom spoke with one of the company’s directors but was unable to arrange an interview ahead of broadcast. Midcoast Morning explores recent community concerns with Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog, and shares information revealed at a Nanaimo city council meeting about potential water use at the site.

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Podcast Photo: Architectural Rendering of Nanaimo Data Centre (dHKarchitects).
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Creators and Guests

Host
Joe Pugh
Host and producer for Midcoast Morning, and is a journalist with CHLY 101.7FM's Nonprofit Newsroom Project.
Editor
Jesse Woodward
Executive Director / Executive Producer / Managing Editor at CHLY 101.7FM
Guest
Leonard Krog
Mayor for the City of Nanaimo, and former BC NDP MLA.

What is Midcoast Morning?

Typically running 28 minutes, Midcoast Morning covers local news and current affairs happening in Nanaimo and on the Salish Sea. Midcoast Morning largely focuses in on one big story per show, interviewing reporters about their stories, as well as those making news and those impacted by it. We also feature the curators and creators in our local arts and culture scene.

Midcoast Morning broadcasts and podcasts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning at 8:30 AM.

Tune in at www.chly.ca/listen or CHLY 101.7FM in Nanaimo and on the Salish Sea. Find the podcast at www.chly.ca/podcasts alongside other podcasts from our station.