IBM announced Monday morning it will create a new Cloud Multizone Region in Montreal, expanding its data services in Quebec while also offering new capabilities for clients throughout the country.

Although IBM provided few details, the company says the new facility expands its existing data centres in the city and will “help clients address their evolving regulatory requirements and leverage technology such as generative AI with a secured, enterprise cloud platform.”

The company particularly notes helping Canadian firms leverage generative AI and addressing data sovereignty requirements.

The Montreal MZR is to be comprised of three Availability Zones within a data centre or cloud infrastructure.

"The new Cloud MZR will serve as a catalyst for transformative advancements, empowering businesses to harness the full potential of hybrid cloud and AI,” said Deb Pimentel, general manager technology, IBM Canada, in the announcement.

“By offering a trusted, locally based cloud infrastructure, we will be providing businesses in Quebec and across Canada with the peace of mind they need to innovate and grow while adhering to stringent data privacy and sovereignty requirements. 

"We are proud to contribute to the continued growth in the province's thriving tech ecosystem by establishing robust infrastructure with potential to drive even more digital transformation and sustained economic development."

New MZR to begin operating in 2025

The facility is to go into service in the first half of 2025.

IBM says it will be supplied by 100 per cent renewable electricity, though no details have been provided. It is not immediately clear if the power will be supplied from the province’s grid, from private or custom-built power sources, or some combination.

Like many of its competitors in the data services sector, IBM has been steadily increasing its footprint in Canada. The firm announced a Multizone Region in Toronto back in 2019, its first in the country.

In 2021, IBM announced a Cloud Modernization Centre in Gatineau at the massive Zibi mixed-use development (led by several Dream entities) which straddles the provincial border between Quebec and Ontario. That facility was to employ approximately 50.

"As we strive to help our customers across the utilities sector deliver on their missions, it's critical we deliver services quickly and close to where their data resides to help customers manage their data sovereignty requirements,” said Sharat Balachandran, VP, research and development, SmartWorks, a division of IBM client Harris Computer Systems, said in the release.

“IBM has a long history with us as an innovative provider in Canada and we are excited to see their continued dedication in the region.

"With the new Montreal MZR, IBM will make it possible to reduce latency so we can bring high speed services directly to the doorstep of our users while furthering our commitment to comply with the latest regulatory requirements to keep data both in-country and protected.”