Data Centre Deadline

Have Your Say on AI Data Centres in Ontario

The Ontario government is accepting public feedback how regulations governing how it will consider and potentially approve new data centres (ERO notice 026-0853). 

Ontario’s current model is broken. It does not pause new builds for an appropriate full public study. Tell the government what you think before September 12, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

Let them know what you think! (It only takes 5 minutes)

1. Go to ero.ontario.ca/notice/026-0853

2. Click "Submit a comment."

3. Log in, or create a free account with your email.

4. Copy the sample comment below into the comment box. Add a line or two in your own words if you can, since personal comments carry more weight.

5. Click Submit.

Do you not have or not wish to make an account? You can email your comment to [email protected], just put "ERO 026-0853" in the subject line.

Ready to go text that you can copy and paste

Re: ERO 026-0853, Economic and Strategic Assessment Framework for New Data Centres

Communities deserve a real say in how they grow. Concerns surrounding noise and water pollution are real. Ontarians facing an affordability crisis need protection from increased water and electricity prices. 

We also must ensure every Canadian job is protected from big American tech companies during the current trade war. We need to put protecting Ontario and Canadian jobs from American-led AI replacement ahead of silicon dreams American tech companies are trying to sell us. 

The proposed three pillars put forward by the government would put profit before people. They do not put public health, the environment, or democratic input first. I ask the government to:

1. Put a moratorium (a temporary pause) on all AI data centre permits and construction until a detailed, public study of the harms caused by existing AI data centres in Canada and elsewhere is conducted and made available.

2. Require that all AI infrastructure projects go through a transparent and democratic approval process that gives communities a real say in how they grow.

3. Bring in and require that real taxes are applied to AI products. American tech companies should not have an unfair tax advantage compared to Canadian companies and offerings. 

4. Ensure that there are strong, easy-to-understand and enforceable rules on safety, privacy, transparency, and power and water use, and approve projects only where the evidence shows clear public benefit.

Optional: Share a personal story explaining why this matters to you and your community + neighbours.

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Please note! Any comments submitted can be made public, so be sure to review the ERO privacy policy available on the website before you click submit. There is an option to comment without registering that you are able to choose. And share this with your friends and neighbours.