Doug Ford Launches Data Centre Playbook to Drive AI Growth

Premier Doug Ford announced the Data Centre Playbook in Guelph on August 13, 2026, establishing a draft framework to attract data centre investments as part of a broader artificial intelligence strategy. The province aims to generate $122 billion in economic growth and 17,000 annual jobs by 2035 through these initiatives.

Under the new rules, the Minister of Energy and Mines holds final authority over which large-load facilities connect to the electricity grid. Data centres must pay the full cost of electricity, including higher rates for facilities exceeding 1 megawatt, and will receive no government financial incentives. The framework prioritizes projects that utilize closed-loop water systems and provide community investment.

The announcement follows a wave of local resistance, including a one-year moratorium enacted by Oakville and a scheduled vote on a similar measure in Mississauga. While Sault Ste. Marie Mayor Matthew Shoemaker opposed a local moratorium in favor of a compensation framework, Green Party leader Mike Schreiner criticized the provincial plan for lacking specific regulations to protect local water resources.