A Meta data center Alberta project worth thirteen billion dollars sounds like a win for Canadian business, but Emily Osborne makes the case for why the price tag is the least important number in the story.

Osborne breaks down the gap between investment and actual digital sovereignty, explaining why a data center built to serve an American company's surveillance apparatus does nothing for Canadian control over Canadian data. She draws a direct line to telecom and aviation, industries where Canada has long protected domestic ownership, and asks why cloud computing and AI infrastructure haven't been held to the same standard.

The conversation lands on the real risk: a foreign-owned data center answers to a foreign government first, and that includes the power to shut it off.

Topics: Meta data center Alberta, Canadian digital sovereignty, foreign owned data centers, AI infrastructure guardrails, data center ownership risk

GUEST: Emily Osborne

Originally aired on 2026-07-10

A Meta data center Alberta project worth thirteen billion dollars sounds like a win for Canadian business, but Emily Osborne makes the case for why the price tag is the least important number in the story.
Osborne breaks down the gap between investment and actual digital sovereignty, explaining why a data center built to serve an American company's surveillance apparatus does nothing for Canadian control over Canadian data. She draws a direct line to telecom and aviation, industries where Canada has long protected domestic ownership, and asks why cloud computing and AI infrastructure haven't been held to the same standard.
The conversation lands on the real risk: a foreign-owned data center answers to a foreign government first, and that includes the power to shut it off.
Topics: Meta data center Alberta, Canadian digital sovereignty, foreign owned data centers, AI infrastructure guardrails, data center ownership risk
GUEST: Emily Osborne
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-07-10

Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.

From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.

If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt &amp; The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world&mdash;always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.