Premier sets rules for data centres, housing funds, and northern projects

What happened and who it affects

• The Premier spoke at the AMO 2026 conference and announced provincial policies that affect municipalities, builders, community groups, Indigenous partners, and resource projects across the province.

Key program and policy points

• Data Centre Playbook

  • Data centres must cover the full cost of their electricity use.
  • The province will not offer financial incentives to attract data centres.
  • Projects must meet strict environmental standards (water use and noise) and show community benefits such as investments in local infrastructure, jobs and training.

• Housing and infrastructure

  • The province is investing $8.8 billion with the federal government to support housing-enabling infrastructure in municipalities that reduce development charges.
  • Toronto received $1.5 billion after cutting development charges; further funding will be rolled out to other municipalities.
  • A $1 billion stream will support communities that do not levy development charges; applications open October 29 of this year.
  • Combined with an HST cut on new homes, the government says home buyers could save up to $200,000 and new home sales are up 130% year over year.

• Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund

  • The fund was increased to $500 million in the 2026 provincial budget; the next application round is open now for eligible projects.

• Northern projects and energy

  • Ground broken in Webequie First Nation on the first Ring of Fire road, which the government says will finish five years earlier than planned and help unlock $22 billion in economic opportunity and 70,000 jobs.
  • The Northern Shield Energy Corridor is planned to move Canadian oil from Alberta to Sarnia via a pipeline built with Canadian steel and labour.

• Wildfire and public-safety highlights

  • The province has spent nearly $1.5 billion fighting wildland fires, adding six water bombers, five helicopters, and creating over 170 permanent frontline positions in the last three years.
  • The speech also noted actions on public safety: shutting down drug injection sites, clearing encampments, and bail-system changes.

Why this matters

• Municipalities will see new grant and application opportunities now and must plan for stricter conditions on major projects like data centres and northern infrastructure. These changes aim to direct investment, protect local communities and resources, and support housing and recreation projects that municipalities can apply to build.