---
title: "Hundreds marched against AI data centres in Vancouver on October 3, and candidates say where they stand"
description: "Hundreds of people marched from Mount Pleasant to downtown Vancouver on October 3 to oppose AI data centres. CBC News reported on four council candidates' positions on a moratorium: two COPE candidates and a Vancouver Greens candidate say they support one, while one Bright Future candidate does not."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/news/ai-data-centre-protest-candidate-positions-october-4"
last_updated: "2026-10-10T04:01:13.724Z"
---

Hundreds of people marched from Mount Pleasant to downtown Vancouver on Saturday, October 3, to oppose AI data centres in the city, CBC News reported on October 4. CBC News reporter Arden McLeod wrote that the march was part of what organizers described as an international day of protest against AI, with more than a dozen events in Canadian cities.

Torin Larocque, founder of No AI Vancouver, told CBC he wants voters to know which council candidates oppose building data centres in Vancouver before they vote on October 17. "Which candidates are against AI," he said, according to CBC.

## The Mount Pleasant rezoning

The march connects to a specific proposal. Vancouver city council voted in July 2026 to send a Mount Pleasant AI data centre rezoning application back to staff for further public consultation, CBC News reported. The article says hundreds of people had signed up to speak at a planned public hearing. Larocque told CBC that was part of the reason council sent the application back.

Further public consultation on the rezoning will not begin until after the October 17 election, according to the CBC article.

## Council candidates on a moratorium

CBC News collected positions from four council candidates.

Chloe Leslie of COPE told CBC that Vancouverites do not want AI data centres and that there has been almost no consultation. She said the issue is part of a broader economic system that she says prioritizes the ultra-wealthy over the needs of others, and she supports a moratorium on AI data centres. You can read her candidate page at [/candidates/chloe-leslie](/candidates/chloe-leslie).

Solomon Yi-Kieran of COPE told CBC they had heard about AI at doors as much as housing and affordability. They said the city has control over zoning decisions and support a moratorium. You can read their candidate page at [/candidates/solomon-yi-kieran](/candidates/solomon-yi-kieran).

Bridget Burns of the Green Party of Vancouver told CBC she does not hear AI data centre concerns often while door-knocking, but said she supports a moratorium until there is more regulation. You can read her candidate page at [/candidates/bridget-burns](/candidates/bridget-burns).

Andy Lin of Bright Future Vancouver told CBC: "Everyone's fed up and they're tired. And now they're saying 'we're going to make your life worse with an AI data centre.'" CBC reported Lin said the issue signals a broader need for change in local government. The article did not report Lin using moratorium language. You can read his candidate page at [/candidates/andy-lin](/candidates/andy-lin).

CBC did not report positions from candidates of other parties on this question.

## Deciding before October 17

Voters choosing council candidates on October 17 can weigh each candidate's position on AI data centres before they vote. The rezoning application goes to further public consultation only after the election, so the new council will be the body hearing those views.

Election day is Saturday, October 17, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Three advance voting days remain: October 7, October 10, and October 13. Council candidates are at [/candidates](/candidates).

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