Mississauga councillors back one-year pause on data centre builds

Mississauga city councillors have supported drafting a bylaw that could pause new data centre approvals for up to one year, as the city examines the projects' potential effects on the community and environment. The motion, introduced by Ward 9 councillor Martin Reid, comes amid concerns about water use, electricity demand, noise, and possible impacts on wildlife. Ward 10 councillor Sue McFadden said the scale of one proposed project and the lack of clarity about its future use make it difficult to assess the risks. The city now plans to study how data centres should be regulated and consult with residents and industry before council takes a final vote on the bylaw in September. The proposal follows similar debates in other Ontario cities, including Toronto and Hamilton, where councils have taken different approaches to the issue.