Hamilton is starting to take steps toward putting a hold on the construction of artificial intelligence (AI) data centres.
During Tuesday’s planning committee meeting, members unanimously backed a motion from Ward 3 councillor Nrinder Nann to freeze development on these facilities while new local guidelines and regulations are considered.
The vote took place early Tuesday evening.
This motion-pending approval from the full city council-calls for staff to draft an interim bylaw that would limit data centre development until studies on current rules and suggestions for improvements are completed. The review will look into factors like energy and water consumption, noise, and heat effects.
“Around the globe, we’re seeing one of the largest industrial movements in generations,” Nann said during the meeting. “All levels of government need time to do their homework and ensure proper governance.”
She mentioned that a moratorium lasting no longer than 12 months would allow Hamilton to manage data-centre development while still advancing necessary digital infrastructure.
A total of thirty-nine individuals signed up to speak about Nann’s motion Tuesday, with 391 written comments submitted.
Hamilton resident Alli Balogun told the committee that people in this city didn’t ask for an AI surge and should have a say in how it affects their lives.
“We should all pause when we hear ‘progress’ being used to justify decisions that overlook those most impacted,” he said in support of the motion.
Concerns About Environmental Impact and Youth Jobs
Data centres have been under scrutiny at city hall recently, with hundreds attending meetings and 1,688 submitting protests against a data centre proposal on June 4. Both then and during Tuesday’s meeting, residents voiced various worries about environmental damage, noise pollution, and adverse social consequences stemming from AI. Logan Moreau-Gagne, a 21-year-old graphic designer, expressed concerns about how AI might impact job opportunities for young people in creative fields. Ward 3 resident Christine Cayuga acknowledged that while data centres could create jobs, they also bring up important questions that a local framework could address. She emphasized that such a framework should involve her Indigenous community in decision-making. Cayuga is running for Ward 3 councillor in the upcoming election. WATCH | National organization shared details about its data centre proposal: National group still going ahead with Hamilton data centre proposal The organization proposing a data centre at Hamilton’s waterfront states its project is moving forward with the federal government. The Digital Research Alliance of Canada intends to construct, own, and operate a “National AI Compute Facility” on former industrial land owned by Slate Asset Management. Recently, Slate attempted to divide part of this land for broader development but was denied after widespread public opposition against the proposed data centre. The rise of AI has spiked demand for more data centres. At the same time, pushback against these projects is increasing nationwide-including here in Hamilton-driven by worries over land use along with electricity and water consumption associated with these facilities. There are currently at least two proposed data centre initiatives in Hamilton. One comes from the Digital Research Alliance of Canada (DRAC), which pitched it to federal authorities. The other proposal is made by Ontario company s2e seeking permission from Mc Master University for constructing a data centre at the old building owned by Mc Master Innovation Park. Both developers claim their plans would support academic research efforts. “As Hamilton evaluates its stance on these types of investments, DRAC would be happy to provide technical advice and facilitate discussions between academic experts and industry professionals alongside city planning staff regarding public computing infrastructure,” Stephen Wu from DRAC stated in writing about Nann’s motion.Council Staff Discuss Current Procedures
In response to questions from Coun. Craig Cassar (Ward 12), staff informed committee members that under existing regulations; developers intending to build on lands designated for data centres must submit site plans for city approval. City staff check compliance with provincial noise standards while obtaining feedback from utility providers regarding electricity usage but don’t assess heat output during this process; water management largely falls under provincial oversight. Nann previously indicated there’s an urgent need for local regulations governing data centres because Canada’s national strategy doesn’t address proposed guidelines specific to this industry sector. This month earlier, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada told CBC Hamilton that “as demand grows for AI computing power; Canada’s approach aligns new developments with clean energy expansion alongside strong environmental criteria benefiting local communities.”> DURING TUESDAY’S MEETING< Lliam Buckley< WHO WORKS IN THE TECH INDUSTRY SAID he supported developing better systems rather than rejecting all AI-related progress as some residents suggested. “A lack OF publicly owned computer resources makes our digital systems less secure AND MORE vulnerable TO cyber attacks,” BUCKLEY pointed out. He added THAT A prolonged moratorium COULD cause HAMILTON TO lose OUT ON attracting organizations interested IN contributing positively TO public interests. “AS AN environmentalist , I appreciate THIS MOTION’S consideration FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF DATA CENTRES ,” Buckley stated. “But as A technologist , I’m disappointed THAT IT doesn’t include OTHER interconnected issues LIKE cybersecurity , DATA privacy , AND digital resilience.”LISTEN | Pros AND cons OF BUILDING DATA CENTRES:Fresh Air13:36 What ARE AI DATA CENTRES AND WHY ISN’T EVERYONE ON BOARD WITH THEM?
The federal government IS pushing FOR building DATA CENTRES IN THIS country. THEY WILL enhance CANADA’S computational capabilities AND aid IN ADOPTING artificial intelligence ; however THEY COME WITH SOME significant challenges. Shion Guha , A COMPUTER science professor AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO , provides US WITH insight INTO THE advantages AND disadvantages OF establishing artificial intelligence DATA CENTRES.NANN STATED THAT A LOCAL FRAMEWORK WILL ENSURE BUSINESSES understand what IS required TO run DATA CENTRES IN HAMILTON WHILE helping RESIDENTS stay informed ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS.
PAT Mc MEEKIN (WARD15) remarked IT WAS great listening TO everyone WHO came forward AT THE COMMITTEE SESSION. HE SHARED THAT HE recently WATCHED “THE ai DOC: OR HOW I BECAME AN APOCALOPTIMIST” WHICH MOVED HIM emotionally LEAVING him BETWEEN optimism reminiscent OF STAR TREK AND pessimism akin TO TERMINATOR III : RISE OF THE MACHINES.“I don’t think we’re going TO halt progress completely BUT if THINGS go wrong WE’RE FACING SERIOUS trouble,” he said.
Matt Francis ( WARD5 ) noted IT’S uncommon FOR many PEOPLE TO gather SPEAKING OUT ABOUT ONE ISSUE hoping GOVERNMENT LEVELS pay attention TO WHAT RESIDENTS HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERNS OVER.
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