Some elected officials in Hamilton and Burlington are calling for more transparency in Ontario’s new plan to attract data centres. Premier Doug Ford recently introduced a framework aimed at attracting investment and creating jobs while ensuring data centres cover the full cost of their electricity usage and provide benefits to host communities.
Hamilton Coun. Nrinder Nann expressed concerns about the lack of details in the announcement, particularly around policy and regulation. The province stated that new data centres must adhere to environmental standards related to water consumption and noise, with preference given to projects using closed-loop cooling systems.
Nann acknowledged the importance of data centres covering their electricity costs but emphasized the need for additional regulations, especially concerning noise, water extraction sources, and environmental standards. The rapid growth of artificial intelligence has led to an increase in data centre construction, prompting protests across Canada over issues such as water and energy consumption.
Hamilton city council rejected a proposal for a one-year pause on new data centre developments, with Nann advocating for stronger regulations before allowing these facilities in communities. She also questioned the province’s job creation and economic growth claims, seeking clarity on the nature and longevity of the jobs promised.
Burlington Coun. Lisa Kearns emphasized the need for clear, project-specific information for residents to understand proposed data centre projects in the area. She highlighted the importance of data centres covering their electricity costs and extending this principle to address local infrastructure pressures faced by municipalities.
The Ontario government has initiated a 30-day public consultation period on the draft framework through the Environmental Registry of Ontario and Ontario Regulatory Registry. Nann plans to propose extending the consultation period during a September council meeting to ensure adequate community input. Municipalities seek assurance that provincial decisions will not supersede local efforts to regulate data centre development.