Every day, millions of Canadians stream their favourite shows, video call with colleagues, manage their businesses online, and learn new skills—often without thinking about the invisible infrastructure making it all possible. Behind every click, swipe, and download is a network of data centres working around the clock to keep our digital world running smoothly.
Today, on International Data Centre Day, we're celebrating the network of companies and their employees who make this possible—particularly the Canadian businesses helping AWS build and maintain the Canadian infrastructure that powers so much of our daily lives.
A Decade of Growth in Canada
Ten years ago, AWS opened its first data centre region in Montreal, responding to the needs of tens of thousands of Canadian customers who wanted their data stored locally. Four years later, we added a third cluster of data centres to enhance performance and resiliency. Then in 2023, we became the first major cloud provider to open a data centre region in Western Canada, in the Calgary area.
But here's what really matters: beneath all that infrastructure investment is a thriving network of local partners and suppliers who are growing alongside us. The Calgary and Montreal regions have become vibrant technology hubs, creating jobs in construction, telecommunications, and specialized technical fields. These partnerships aren't just about building data centres—they're about building communities and careers.
Connecting the Planet, One Cable at a Time
Take CaTECH, for example. With over 35 years in the business, this Canadian company handles the intricate cabling work inside AWS data centres and has literally watched cloud computing arrive and flourish in Canada. They've grown right alongside the industry, expanding from their original base to serve Ontario, Quebec, and Western Canada with IT infrastructure and network solutions.
The intricate cabling work inside AWS data centres is more complex than you might think. Setting up a single data centre room can take four to six weeks and require connecting a thousand server racks. Their specialized team of a dozen technicians, supported by contractors for larger projects, makes it all happen.
"Even though we have a small team, we are able to compete with the biggest players because we're very agile and present in several Canadian cities,” says Martin Pagé, Director, Data Centre Deployment at CaTECH. “Over the past 10 years, the size of our projects has increased, and our revenues have grown exponentially, especially thanks to our activities with data centres."
Training Tomorrow's Talent Today
The technology exists to transmit data at lightning speeds through fibre optic cables, but there's a shortage of technicians who know how to splice those fibres together properly. Fibre optic splicing is a meticulous process—essentially fusing two optical fibres—and it's crucial for ensuring fast, reliable data transmission.
In fact, professions related to installing and maintaining telecommunications infrastructure are among the 15 most in-demand in Canada right now.
That's why AWS teamed up with Calgary’s Momentum in 2023 and Montreal’s Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne in 2025 to train technicians in this specialized skill.
The college, a leader in technical training in Quebec with more than 1,600 students in digital-related programmes, was a natural fit.
“Our collaboration with AWS Canada allows us to tailor our programs to the real needs of the Montreal market and to offer our students highly sought-after skills,” says Hugo Laflamme, Director of Continuing Education and Corporate Services at Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne. “The fiber optic fusion splicing certification fits perfectly within this vision. We also appreciate AWS’s commitment to supporting sustainable employment integration, an objective that aligns fully with our mission.”
Building the Foundation
"Cabling is the cornerstone of any technological infrastructure,” says Louis Dubois, founder of Interconnexions LD. “When it's well designed and well installed, everything else can function at its full potential."
Dubois’ Quebec-based company specializes in structured cabling and fibre optics—the foundation of any data centre. Since starting with just three employees in 2002, Interconnexions LD has grown to 75 professionals with more than 50 certified experts across four Canadian offices. They've supported over 40,000 businesses across Canada, and their growth continues to accelerate thanks to the energy AWS brings to the sector.
"Our partnership with AWS since 2018 allows us to participate in cutting-edge technology projects and continue to develop the expertise of our local teams, to meet the current and future needs of our clients," says Luc Gagné, Executive Vice President at Interconnexions LD.
What It All Means
These collaborations do more than just build infrastructure—they create opportunities. AWS enables organizations of all sizes across Canada to access advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) without having to build and maintain their own data centres. Tens of thousands of Canadian organizations are using the cloud to develop innovative solutions and compete globally.
But it starts with the people: the technicians splicing fibres, the specialists running cables, the students learning skills that will power tomorrow's innovations. They're the ones making sure that when you stream that show, join that video call, or launch that app, everything just works.
So today, on International Data Centre Day, take a moment to appreciate the invisible infrastructure—and the very visible people—powering our digital lives.
Learn more about AWS data centre employees, see how AWS is helping propel Canadian innovation and discover our investments in Canada planned through 2037 in Alberta and Quebec.
