What to know
- Brad Bradford said AI data centres “do belong” in Toronto during Wednesday’s mayoral debate in Scarborough.
- Olivia Chow did not give a direct yes-or-no answer, saying she has put a pause on new data centre approvals.
- Bradford’s campaign said data centres provide jobs, support internet access and help keep Canadians’ data under Canadian rules.
- The debate comes as cities across Ontario grapple with concerns over data centres’ water and electricity use.
As Toronto voters continue to cast their ballots in advance polls, mayoral candidate Brad Bradford is making his position on AI data centres clear, saying they belong in the city, while incumbent mayor Olivia Chow’s position remains less certain.
As Toronto voters continue to cast their ballots in advance polls, mayoral candidate Brad Bradford is making his position on AI data centres clear, saying they belong in the city, while incumbent mayor Olivia Chow’s position remains less certain.
Bradford and Chow went head-to-head during a debate Wednesday in Scarborough focused on issues affecting voters in the area. The debate came just hours after both candidates had been campaigning in the area earlier in the day.
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During the debate, both candidates were asked whether data centres belong in Toronto. Chow was unable to give a clear yes-or-no answer, despite being asked to respond directly.
“I’ve put a pause in… right now, nothing is being built,” Chow said.
Her response drew criticism from some audience members and Bradford.
“This is not leadership,” Bradford said, before giving his own answer. “Yes, they do belong.”
Opposing AI data centres would be irresponsible: Bradford’s campaign
In a statement to Now Toronto on Thursday, Bradford’s campaign said data centres are not new to Toronto and already operate across the city.
“Every bank transaction, email, online class and research project depends on a data centre somewhere. Keeping that infrastructure here also means keeping people’s information under Canadian rules, and data sovereignty matters,” the campaign said.
The campaign acknowledged concerns about the impact of data centres, but said opposing them outright would be irresponsible.
“It would be irresponsible to unilaterally oppose any infrastructure project that creates jobs, supports internet access and protects people’s information,” the campaign said.
Chow’s campaign says reviews are needed
In a video posted to Chow’s social media accounts following the debate, her campaign said the mayor is pausing approvals for data centres to ensure Toronto’s water supply, electricity grid and local communities are protected.
AI data centres have become an increasingly prominent topic of political debate in Ontario and across Canada, in part because of their significant water and electricity demands.
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In July, Mississauga councillors voted in favour of a one-year moratorium on AI data centres while the city studies their potential impacts and how they should be regulated.
Hamilton city council also voted for a moratorium on new data centres to give city staff time to study their potential impacts.
In August, Ontario unveiled a Data Centre Playbook outlining how future projects will be assessed, including their impacts on electricity costs, water use and noise, as well as their economic benefits and contributions to local communities.
