As proposals for AI data centres appear across Canada, local governments are being asked to approve major infrastructure projects with significant implications for water, electricity, and municipal systems. In this piece, Mairin Loewen explores why the rapidly expanding data centre boom is becoming a climate and governance issue for cities — and the questions municipal leaders must ask before approving new developments.
Urban Climate Leadership has released a new dialogue report exploring how British Columbia’s innovation, technology, manufacturing, and building sectors can help transition 5,000 low-rise apartment buildings to energy-efficient heat pumps while strengthening local economic development and workforce opportunities.
