Mississauga Imposes One-Year Moratorium on Large Data Centres
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City council votes to freeze projects exceeding 10 megawatts to review zoning bylaws and infrastructure impacts.
Mississauga city council has unanimously voted to implement a one-year moratorium on new large data centres, according to CBC Toronto. The freeze specifically targets facilities with energy demands exceeding 10 megawatts, an amount of electricity CBC Toronto notes is sufficient to power approximately 10,000 homes.
City officials framed the pause as an opportunity to conduct a comprehensive policy review of major digital infrastructure. A statement from the City of Mississauga indicated the review will determine if updates are required for the city's Zoning By-law and Official Plan. The decision follows public concerns regarding noise, water, and energy impacts, as well as issues related to backup generators and floodplain locations, as reported by CBC Toronto.
The vote places a 40-megawatt project in the Meadowvale Business Park into limbo. The project, pursued by U.S.-based firm Prologis, was located south of Highway 401 near an electrical substation. According to CBC Toronto, a third-party assessment by Parcel Economics Inc. estimated the project would have supported 1,690 construction jobs and 63 operational jobs in Mississauga. Prologis stated it is disappointed by the vote and is considering its next steps.
Mississauga's move follows a similar moratorium passed last month in Oakville. While cities like Hamilton and Burlington have commissioned planning studies, they have rejected full moratoriums. The decision has drawn criticism from Victoria Mancinelli, a spokesperson for the labour union LiUNA, who stated that closing the door on such opportunities sends a negative message regarding investment and jobs in Ontario.