Ford says Ontarians ‘misinformed’ about data centres as province releases AI playbook

Ontario's Premier Doug Ford has criticized Ontarians for being "misinformed" about the negative impacts of data centres. The province released its "data centre playbook" on Thursday to provide clear requirements for data companies looking to establish operations in the province. This move comes as multiple municipalities across Ontario have moved to pause data centre development due to environmental, zoning, and noise concerns.

Ford stated that people need to learn more about data centres and that they offer benefits such as running the community and protecting digital sovereignty. However, NDP MPP Chris Glover, the technology and innovation critic, called Ontarians' concerns about data centres legitimate. Glover emphasized that while people want jobs and to protect their digital sovereignty, they also do not want higher utility bills or environmental destruction.

Ford justified the need for more data centres by highlighting concerns about digital sovereignty, stating that Ontario can either build its own data centres or rely on others like the United States. However, an expert from the University of Toronto, Evan Light, pointed out that American companies have access to data regardless of where the centre is located.

Glover agreed, adding that American-owned data centres fall under the Patriot Act, which allows access to data without informing the authorities. Ford said the new provincial playbook is designed to attract the best projects and that companies will undergo a rigorous application process. However, Light noted that data centres create very few long-term jobs, as they are essentially large construction sites initially followed by a few operators to maintain the systems.

Ford also mentioned that the province would prioritize proposals with closed-loop systems, meaning water is recycled within the facility.