# Ontario proposes data centre playbook as demand for AI infrastructure surges

> Source: <https://betakit.com/ontario-proposes-data-centre-playbook-as-demand-for-ai-infrastructure-surges/>
> Published: 2026-08-14 16:58:45+00:00

The Ontario government has announced the framework for a new [Data Centre Playbook](https://news.ontario.ca/assets/files/20260813/652439f5209093b5a8a7f0f12c795c1e.pdf) that it says will set the terms for data centre development in the province.

**The news:** The playbook will base data centre approvals around three main pillars: economic development, digital sovereignty, and community benefits. The province also says it plans to put laws in place that will ensure data centres [pay full price](https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/026-0853) for the electricity they use.

However, the document has not yet been finalized, and the government has launched a 30-day [public consultation](https://ero.ontario.ca/user/login?action=comment&destination=/comment/reply/node/16431/comment) to collect public feedback that will inform the final version.

**From the source: **The Ontario government says it will only offer “non-financial support to attract investments.” In a news release, the province said that means things like “leveraging Ontario’s existing strategic advantages such as a clean and reliable electricity system, ample land space, cool climate, and skilled workforce.”

**The context:** Ontario is experiencing [rapid growth](https://news.ontario.ca/assets/files/20260813/652439f5209093b5a8a7f0f12c795c1e.pdf) in data centre development, as AI companies rush to build infrastructure to support their models. But [backlash](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ai-data-centre-opposition-explained-9.7225796) against data centre development is growing.

As residents raise concerns about the projects’ energy use, environmental impacts, and long-term economic benefits, municipalities are starting to respond. But with few data-centre-specific regulations on the books, those responses have been largely ad hoc.

The Town of Oakville just put in place a [one-year moratorium](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/oakville-data-centre-moratorium-9.7305034) on new data centre development, and Mississauga will soon vote on its own pause. Hamilton, meanwhile, recently voted down a proposed moratorium.

**Final thought: **Other Canadian provinces have created their own policies to respond to the data centre boom, with dramatically different results. In June, Manitoba [rejected a major proposal](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/ai-data-centre-manitoba-9.7223138) for a 141-hectare hyperscale data centre, with Premier Wab Kinew saying the projects aren’t in the best interest of Manitobans. Meanwhile, Alberta has gone [out](https://betakit.com/albertas-technology-minister-continues-data-centre-courtship-at-digital-innovation-forum/) [of](https://betakit.com/danielle-smith-expands-ministerial-team-leading-albertas-100-billion-ai-data-centre-push/) [its](https://betakit.com/qa-why-albertas-data-centre-strategy-is-drawing-the-attention-of-tech-giants-like-meta/) way to court data centre development, and Meta recently [announced](https://betakit.com/meta-to-build-canadas-largest-data-centre-north-of-edmonton/) it will invest $13-billion to build a massive, hyperscale data centre north of Edmonton.

Ontario appears to be cutting a path between these two extremes, but until it releases the playbook in its entirety, it’s difficult to see exactly where that path will lead.

*Feature image courtesy Doug Ford via Linkedin.*