Thank you for the question.
You began by saying that the number of our centres was going to go from 300 to 20. The 300 figure had been used before we reviewed all our investments and assets. It appears that we actually have about 485 data centres. Of those, 30 are large centres, about 60 are relatively average sized — they cover about 2,000 sq. ft. — and many are small. So that means we are going from a large number to a smaller number: fewer than 20.
In planning this transformation, we are doing a lot of analyses relating to where to locate these data centres, an aspect you mentioned. There are all sorts of factors that may be relevant in making that kind of decision. As well, we have retained the services of a third party to get advice about what criteria are most important when it comes to determining where to locate a data centre.
Obviously, there are geological criteria. You do not want to set up a data centre in a place where there is too high a risk of earthquakes or floods. As you said, some criteria relate to climate and costs, including electricity.
We have not yet made a decision about the recommendation we will be making to the government, but obviously we are going to study the advantages offered in Quebec and in other regions of the country. It is cold in a lot of places in Canada. We are very lucky in that sense.
On the other part of your question, we will be using Canadian expertise wherever we can. We have also initiated a discussion with people in the industry about the innovation factors and the contribution that Canadian expertise could make in this field.