A Mississauga\u00a0councillor\u00a0wants to temporarily halt the development of major data\u00a0centres\u00a0across the city while new rules\u00a0are developed\u00a0to regulate the rapidly growing industry.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ward 9 Councillor Martin Reid will bring forward a motion at the next council meeting that calls for an Interim Control By-law that would prohibit new large-scale digital infrastructure facilities, including artificial intelligence, cloud computing and hyperscale data centres, for up to one year while the city undertakes a comprehensive planning study.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If approved, the temporary pause would apply city-wide and could be extended for a second year if\u00a0additional\u00a0time is needed to complete the review.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The motion comes after months of growing concern from residents over a proposed Prologis data\u00a0centre\u00a0in Meadowvale, where nearby homeowners have raised questions about electricity demand, water consumption, noise, greenhouse gas emissions, traffic, emergency preparedness and the relatively small number of permanent jobs created by such facilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCouncil recognizes the economic opportunities associated with digital infrastructure while recognizing the need for a comprehensive municipal framework before permitting additional large-scale facilities,\u201d Reid\u2019s motion states.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The proposal notes that while data\u00a0centres\u00a0are becoming increasingly important to Canada\u2019s economy, artificial intelligence development, cybersecurity and national security, Ontario has yet to\u00a0establish\u00a0a planning or regulatory framework specifically for AI data\u00a0centres\u00a0and other large digital infrastructure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Under Reid\u2019s proposal, city staff would review Mississauga\u2019s planning policies, zoning rules and development approval process for data centres while consulting with utilities, Peel Region, Indigenous communities, industry representatives, environmental experts, academic institutions, residents and community organizations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The review would also examine electricity and water use, wastewater servicing, noise, emissions, taxation, employment impacts, public health, climate\u00a0considerations\u00a0and infrastructure capacity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Staff would also be asked to explore whether developers could provide voluntary community benefits such as new parks, recreation facilities or public art as part of future data centre projects.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The motion also calls for staff to study\u00a0possible regulations\u00a0governing operational impacts such as noise, energy use, water consumption, heat generation and emissions, along with opportunities for greater public reporting on environmental performance where legally\u00a0permitted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Proponents say data\u00a0centres\u00a0have become critical infrastructure as more of everyday life moves online.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Everything from streaming services, online banking and Google Maps to cloud computing and artificial intelligence depends on data\u00a0centres\u00a0to store, process and move enormous amounts of digital information.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The rapid growth of AI has dramatically increased demand for new facilities capable of handling advanced computing workloads.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Despite their growing importance, data\u00a0centres\u00a0have become increasingly controversial in communities across Ontario.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Residents near the proposed Prologis facility on Tenth Line West have questioned the amount of electricity and water needed to operate the building, the potential for noise from cooling equipment and backup generators, greenhouse gas emissions, and whether the facilities generate enough permanent jobs to justify their demands on public infrastructure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At a packed town hall hosted by Reid in June, more than 200 residents attended to question company officials and city planners about the proposal.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Prologis has said its proposed facility would use a closed-loop cooling system designed to minimize water consumption and that the company would pay for all electrical infrastructure upgrades\u00a0required\u00a0to serve the site.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The company has estimated the project would create\u00a0approximately 790\u00a0construction jobs annually during development, about 75 permanent jobs once operational and more than $1.6 million annually in municipal property taxes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Following that meeting, Reid announced he would not support the Meadowvale proposal and pledged to seek a broader city-wide review of data\u00a0centres.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The council meeting is on July 29.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013 with files from Karen Longwell<\/p>\n
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