Ontario municipalities are taking different approaches as they decide how to manage the rapid growth of artificial intelligence data centres.
These large facilities use significant amounts of electricity, leading many communities to review planning rules and consider temporary moratoriums while new policies are developed.
What municipalities are doing
-
Hamilton: Council rejected a proposed one-year moratorium but is continuing a planning study on issues such as energy use and noise.
-
Oakville: Approved Ontario’s first temporary moratorium while staff complete a planning review.
-
Sault Ste. Marie: Council has asked staff to draft a moratorium for data centres using more than 50 megawatts, with a vote expected Sept. 21.
-
Greater Napanee: Updated its bylaws to allow data centres on industrial land.
-
Toronto: Reviewing planning policies and calling for a province-wide framework.
-
Ottawa: Developing an assessment framework and will review large projects on a case-by-case basis.
-
Milton: Approved a study but rejected a temporary freeze.
-
Burlington: Rejected a moratorium and instead ordered a review of local rules.
-
Waterloo Region: Staff will report next year on the impacts of future data centre development.
