‘Call them out’: AI data centres becoming an Ontario municipal election issue

AI data centres have become a contentious issue in Ontario's municipal elections. Grassroots groups are urging candidates to support stricter regulations and oversight for these facilities. Several mayoral and city council candidates from Greater Toronto Area cities have signed a pledge committing to oppose any data centres that do not meet strict conditions.

The pledge, created by Nick Tsergas, a Hamilton resident, outlines several key conditions that candidates must agree to, including adhering to strict oversight and regulations for any data centres. Tsergas is motivated by the lack of clarity from the province regarding regulatory standards for data centres. No legislation on the issue has been passed, and the Ford government has only released a playbook with proposed policies for governing data centres.

The pledge has already garnered support from several candidates, including Carolyn Parrish from Mississauga and Cameron Kroetsch and Nrinder Nann from Hamilton. However, some candidates remain unconvinced, such as Prologis, which is proposing a data centre project in Mississauga. Prologis maintains it remains committed to the project and estimates that construction will support thousands of jobs while generating significant tax revenue for the city and region.

Tsergas remains focused on seeking clarity on the issue, emphasizing that the pledge is not about liking or disliking AI but about ensuring rules are in place before a major development goes forward.