What Ontario’s New Data Centre Playbook Means For Your Project

On August 13, 2026, the Ontario government released a draft Data Centre Playbook and opened a 30-day public comment period (ERO Notice 026-0853), closing September 12, 2026. Here is what developers, operators, investors and projects in Ontario’s development pipeline need to know.

What’s actually changing

• Ontario is proposing a new approval gate. Amendments to Ontario’s Electricity Act now give the province authority to establish requirements for certain large loads before they connect or reconnect to the grid. Ontario is proposing regulations that would require new large data centres to obtain government approval before connecting.
• Projects could face a new strategic assessment against three pillars: economic development, data security and digital sovereignty, and community investment and public trust.
• A new electricity rate class is proposed. Ontario is considering a separate rate class for new large data centres, potentially above a 1 MW threshold, together with exclusion from the Industrial Conservation Initiative.
• Municipalities are already responding — unevenly. Oakville has enacted a local pause on new data centre approvals. Mississauga’s council has directed staff to prepare one, with a final vote expected September 16. Hamilton’s council rejected a proposed moratorium 10-6 on July 15.

Why this matters right now

The draft Playbook is open for comment until September 12, 2026. This is the period when developers, operators and other affected stakeholders can formally put their concerns and recommendations before government while the framework is still being developed. Projects that engage now can help shape the framework. Projects that wait will respond to whatever comes next.

How IG Strategies can help

• A complimentary Playbook Alignment Review covering your project’s preliminary alignment across the three proposed pillars and an initial electricity-rate exposure review.
• Municipal and provincial government relations strategy for projects facing local moratoriums or council review.
• Drafting and submitting formal comments to the ERO consultation on your behalf.

Get your free Playbook Alignment Review before September 12 →