Summary#
On November 3, 2026, the Executive Committee carried Councillor Wyness’s motion 10 to 3, recommending that Council direct the Chief Administrative Officer to take the steps below. This is a committee recommendation, not yet a Council decision. The motion’s stated aim is to examine the effects of large-scale data centres and consider whether Calgary’s rules should change.
- It recommends a temporary pause on bringing new land-use redesignation applications for large-scale data centres to Council for a decision, until reports and possible bylaw amendments are considered.
- It asks City staff to prepare Land Use Bylaw amendments that define data centres at different scales and identify suitable land-use districts, including Direct Control districts.
- It asks City staff to review other bylaws that may need changes and to reaffirm existing regional water-servicing requirements with regional partners.
- It calls for reports on data centres’ risks, impacts and opportunities by the fourth quarter of 2027, and on cumulative water-security impacts by the same deadline.
What it means for you#
- Data-centre applicants: The proposed pause would apply only if Council adopts the recommendation. It concerns bringing new land-use redesignation applications to Council for a decision; it does not itself ban data centres or direct that applications be refused.
- City staff: If Council adopts the recommendation, staff would prepare the requested bylaw and policy work and reports. The motion sets report deadlines but does not specify the staff or resources required.
- Residents and water users: The proposed reports would examine water security, infrastructure, environmental and economic impacts, emergency preparedness and public safety. They do not themselves change water service or use rules.
Money#
No cost estimate is provided in the supplied material.
- The motion would require staff work if Council adopts it, but gives no staffing level or cost.
- It does not approve funding, change taxes or fees, or create a grant or benefit.
What is unclear#
- Council has not yet decided whether to adopt the committee’s recommendation.
- “Large-scale data centres” is not defined in the motion; staff are asked to consider defining data centres at different scales.
- The motion does not specify how the proposed pause would be applied while the definition and possible bylaw changes are being prepared.
- It does not say what bylaw changes, if any, staff will recommend, or what Council will decide after receiving the reports.
Case for#
- A possible argument for the motion is that Council could receive information on impacts and possible rules before deciding on new land-use redesignations for large-scale data centres.
- The requested work covers both land-use rules and water security, including regional water servicing, infrastructure and water reuse.
Case against#
- One concern is that the proposed pause could delay land-use decisions before the motion settles how “large-scale” would be defined or applied.
- The motion requests broad studies but does not set criteria for judging impacts or say what changes should follow.
- Councillors Chabot, Jamieson and Johnston voted against the motion. The supplied minutes do not give their reasons.