Hamilton votes down temporary pause on development of AI data centres

Hamilton city council has voted down a temporary pause on the development of new AI data centres in the city and surrounding areas for one year.

The proposed bylaw was defeated 10-6, which brought angry shouts from the gallery, including protesters saying “this isn’t over.”

The vote came after a closed-door session between councillors and the city’s legal team.

If the data centre moratorium was passed, Hamilton would have been the first in the country to do so. Lawmakers across Canada are continuing to face pushback on data centres due to concerns regarding noise, energy, water consumption and environmental impacts.

The pause would have given the city time to draft safety barriers and possible public benefits from future data centres.

Those critical of the moratorium argue that Hamilton risks passing up on major investment opportunities.

Several councillors who opposed the pause warned that the decision might not survive a legal challenge.

Back in June, council endorsed a similar moratorium on AI data centres to give council time to further study the issue.

With files from The Canadian Press

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