Mississauga council imposes one‑year moratorium on AI data centre projects

Mississauga city council voted unanimously to approve a one‑year moratorium on a proposed hyperscale artificial‑intelligence data centre that would draw 50‑100 megawatts of power near a residential neighbourhood at Tenth Line West and Argentia Road. The motion passed without a mayoral vote, as Mayor Carolyn Parrish abstains except to break ties. Councilors highlighted the lack of regulations, potential heat‑island effects, noise, water‑use pressures and the risk that additional power demand could be met by gas‑fired electricity. Alvin Tedjo, a city councillor, said “there are no guardrails … we want safeguards so residents’ quality of life isn’t harmed.” University of Toronto physician Mili Roy warned about possible water insecurity.

The decision follows a broader push in the Greater Toronto Area, where Toronto residents have protested two proposed data‑centre expansions in Etobicoke and Scarborough, demanding clearer benefits and community consultation. Councillor Parthi Kandavel asked the city to examine environmental and noise impacts, ownership of equipment and Canadian sovereignty over critical AI infrastructure. The moratorium comes as neighbouring Vaughan moves ahead with its own hyperscale centre, while Hamilton recently rejected a similar pause.