Bradford says Toronto should welcome AI data centres; Chow has paused new approvals
The two leading Toronto mayoral candidates laid out opposite positions on AI data centres at a Scarborough debate on October 7, 2026.
Reported. A news outlet found this. voche.me names the outlet and links its report. Read the original report on nowtoronto.com.
Mayoral candidate Brad Bradford says Toronto should welcome AI data centres, while Mayor Olivia Chow has paused new approvals pending assessments of the impact on the city's water supply and electricity grid. NOW Toronto reported the candidates' positions after a Scarborough mayoral debate on October 7, 2026.
When asked at the debate whether data centres belong in Toronto, Bradford answered directly: "Yes, they do belong." His campaign told NOW Toronto that data centres already operate across the city and that opposing them would be "irresponsible," given they create jobs, support internet access, and keep data under Canadian rules.
Chow declined to give a yes-or-no answer at the debate. "I've put a pause in... right now, nothing is being built," she said. Her campaign told NOW Toronto the pause protects Toronto's water supply, electricity grid, and local communities from the demands that large data centres place on those systems.
Bradford responded to Chow's answer: "This is not leadership."
Why the issue is growing
Large data centres use high amounts of electricity to run servers and still more water for cooling. Ontario released a Data Centre Playbook in August 2026 setting out assessment criteria including electricity costs, water use, noise, and community contributions. Other Ontario cities have already acted: Mississauga voted for a one-year moratorium on new data centres in July 2026 and Hamilton voted for a similar restriction, according to NOW Toronto.
Toronto has not passed a full moratorium. Chow's pause is an administrative decision, not a council vote.
What each candidate says the approach means for jobs
Bradford's campaign says opposing data centres would cost Toronto jobs and economic activity. Chow's campaign has not published a separate jobs estimate for the pause. Neither figure has been independently verified.
What you can do before October 26
Voters can check each candidate's full platform before election day on October 26 at voche.me's Toronto candidates page. Advance polls are open until October 11. Toronto residents can confirm their registration and find their polling place at toronto.ca/vote.
Questions this story answers
What did Brad Bradford say about AI data centres in Toronto?
At a Scarborough debate on October 7, 2026, Brad Bradford said 'Yes, they do belong' when asked if AI data centres should be built in Toronto. His campaign told NOW Toronto it would be 'irresponsible to unilaterally oppose any infrastructure project that creates jobs, supports internet access and protects people's information.' Bradford also said data centres already operate across the city.
What is Olivia Chow's position on AI data centres?
Olivia Chow has paused new data centre approvals in Toronto. At the Scarborough debate she said, 'I've put a pause in... right now, nothing is being built.' Her campaign told NOW Toronto the pause is meant to protect Toronto's water supply, electricity grid, and local communities from the demands large data centres place on those systems.
Why do data centres raise concerns about water and electricity?
Large AI data centres use large amounts of electricity to run servers and even more water to cool them. Ontario released a Data Centre Playbook in August 2026 that sets out assessment criteria including electricity costs, water use, noise impacts, economic benefits, and community contributions. Both Mississauga and Hamilton voted in 2026 to restrict new data centres while they study these impacts.
What did Bradford say about Chow's response at the debate?
Bradford called Chow's decision not to give a direct yes-or-no answer 'not leadership.' He said at the debate, according to NOW Toronto's reporting, that her approach was 'irresponsible' given that data centres already exist across the city and bring jobs and internet access.
Has any other Ontario city restricted data centres?
Yes. Mississauga voted for a one-year moratorium on new data centres in July 2026. Hamilton voted for a similar restriction later that same year. Both cities cited concerns about electricity and water use. Toronto's Olivia Chow has paused new approvals, but no full moratorium has been passed by Toronto City Council, according to NOW Toronto's reporting.
When is the Toronto mayoral election?
Toronto's municipal election is on October 26, 2026. Advance polls are open from October 6 to 11. Voters can check whether they are on the voters' list and find their polling place at toronto.ca/vote.
Who is Brad Bradford?
Brad Bradford is a sitting Toronto city councillor and a candidate for mayor in the October 26, 2026 municipal election. He is one of two candidates considered frontrunners after Chris Alexander withdrew from the race on October 6, 2026.
Who is Olivia Chow?
Olivia Chow is the sitting mayor of Toronto and a candidate for re-election in the October 26, 2026 municipal election. She has been mayor since winning a by-election in 2023. On data centres, she has used her authority as mayor to pause new approvals pending impact assessments.
Sources
The pages this story draws on. Open one to check a claim yourself.
Found an error? Tell the editors with the corrections form. A correction is noted on the story it changes. Read our standards.
Topics
More from voche.me
Olivia Chow pledges to start construction on 10,000 rental homes in 2027
A Better City Toronto endorses Brad Bradford for mayor
