Some Hamilton and Burlington officials express a need for greater transparency in Ontario’s recent data centre plan. Premier Doug Ford introduced a new framework aiming to attract investments and jobs while ensuring data centres cover their electricity costs and benefit host communities. The framework also emphasizes data sovereignty, ensuring Canadian data remains in the country.
Hamilton Coun. Nrinder Nann believes the announcement lacks crucial details on policy and regulation. The province mandates new data centres to adhere to environmental standards, prioritize closed-loop cooling systems, and pay higher electricity rates for greater consumption. Nann acknowledges the importance of data centres covering their electricity costs but calls for more comprehensive regulations addressing noise, water extraction, and environmental standards.
The expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) has led to an increase in data centre construction, sparking concerns about water and energy usage. Local leaders are pushing for specific regulations for data centres and moratoriums on development until these regulations are established.
In Hamilton, a proposed one-year pause on new data centre developments was rejected by the city council. Councilor Nann advocates for stringent rules before allowing data centres in communities and questions the long-term job prospects and economic benefits promised by the province.
Burlington Councilor Lisa Kearns stresses the need for project-specific information to understand proposed data centre developments in the area. Kearns supports the principle of data centres covering their electricity costs and urges similar responsibility for managing local infrastructure pressures. Although her motion for a moratorium on data centres did not pass, Burlington continues to review a data centre application near the QEW and Guelph Line.
The Ontario government has initiated a 30-day public consultation on the draft framework through the Environmental Registry of Ontario and Ontario Regulatory Registry. Nann plans to propose extending the consultation period at a September council meeting to ensure ample community input. Municipalities seek assurance that provincial decisions will not override local regulations on data centre development.