Essex County council approves review of land-use policies for AI data centres

Essex County council unanimously approved a motion to review land-use policies and plan a possible study, taking a first step toward preparing for potential AI data centre proposals. The motion, from Kingsville Deputy Mayor Kimberly DeYong, follows concerns about water, noise and energy. The county lacks authority to impose a moratorium; individual municipalities could pass interim control bylaws instead. Councillors stressed the review does not endorse data centres. Some oppose them, though Warden Hilda MacDonald acknowledged Canada may need AI sovereignty and domestic facilities.