The filed record
Maintaining Toronto’s Climate and Energy Priorities Through the Review Process for Artificial Intelligence Data Centre Proposals - by Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin, seconded by Councillor Dianne Saxe
The Public Gallery wrote no story on this item. What follows is the city’s own record of what happened to it, as filed: nothing on this page is summarised or scored by us.
The decision
2026-03-25 · Toronto City Council · adopted
As filed
City Council on March 25 and 26, 2026, adopted the following: 1. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, the Executive Director, Development Review and the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, along with other relevant divisions and in consultation with Toronto Hydro, to report to the Planning and Housing Committee in the first half of 2027, on the subject of new Artificial Intelligence data centres in the City of Toronto, addressing the following: a.
Show the rest of As filed, 806 more characters as filed
a general overview of the land-use compatibility considerations and zoning by-law requirements that apply to such projects; b. processes in place to address impacts relating to grid capacity and water usage, among other environmental, energy and affordability impacts, resulting from their existence within the City of Toronto; c. information on the current regulatory environment for Artificial Intelligence data centres at the federal, provincial and municipal orders of government, as well as any updates following recent legislative changes; and d. recommendations for improvements, if any, to municipal review processes and regulatory frameworks around Artificial Intelligence data centres to ensure Toronto's environmental, climate, infrastructural, energy and affordability priorities are protected.
On the agenda
As the city filed it
As Artificial Intelligence becomes an increasingly prevalent force in global industry and our day-to-day lives, we must navigate the technical and infrastructure requirements that makes the use of this technology possible. The location and servicing of Artificial Intelligence data centres is one such consideration - and it is one that is a growing concern in our communities. There are good data sovereignty reasons to want Canadian data managed in Canada, and the many data-reliant Canadian businesses headquartered in Toronto have good reasons to want their data managed here.
Show the rest of As the city filed it, 1,087 more characters as filed
At the same time, Artificial Intelligence data centres may put a significant strain on power grids, driving up the cost of electricity for all users, displacing other valued uses of electricity, and increasing climate pollution from electricity generation. They may also use large quantities of potable water and climate-warming chemicals for cooling purposes, and trigger costly fires. These extensive resource requirements could adversely affect municipal infrastructure, increase costs for Torontonians, and worsen climate damage. Residents have questions about how Toronto plans to manage proposed Artificial Intelligence data centres while maintaining energy, water and infrastructure capacity for the essential functions of our city and their day-to-day lives, as well as balance these proposals with our broader affordability, environmental and climate goals. These questions are particularly challenging in relation to Artificial Intelligence data centres that can be established as-of-right - that is, without a public process by which residents can raise questions or concerns.
Staff recommended
Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin, seconded by Councillor Dianne Saxe, recommends that: 1. City Council direct the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the Chief Building Official and Executive Director, Toronto Building, the Executive Director, Development Review and the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, along with other relevant divisions and in consultation with Toronto Hydro, to report to the Planning and Housing Committee in the first half of 2027, on the subject of new Artificial Intelligence data centres in the City of Toronto, addressing the following: a.
Show the rest of Staff recommended, 806 more characters as filed
a general overview of the land-use compatibility considerations and zoning by-law requirements that apply to such projects; b. processes in place to address impacts relating to grid capacity and water usage, among other environmental, energy and affordability impacts, resulting from their existence within the City of Toronto; c. information on the current regulatory environment for Artificial Intelligence data centres at the federal, provincial and municipal orders of government, as well as any updates following recent legislative changes; and d. recommendations for improvements, if any, to municipal review processes and regulatory frameworks around Artificial Intelligence data centres to ensure Toronto's environmental, climate, infrastructural, energy and affordability priorities are protected.
On the record
More from this meeting
- Introduction of General Bills and Confirming BillsFiled record
- Report on Councillor Chris Moise’s Comments to a ConstituentFiled record
- Public Salary Disclosure for City Agencies and CorporationsFiled record
- 233 Carlton StreetFiled record
- Authorization to Release Section 45 Funds to Little Italy Business Improvement Area - by Councillor Dianne Saxe, seconded by Councillor Amber MorleyFiled record
- Call to OrderFiled record