Ottawa releases voluntary data-centre principles with Big Tech signatories

Federal AI Minister Evan Solomon announced five voluntary principles for data-centre development in Markham, Ontario. The principles require developers to minimize environmental impacts, be transparent about local effects, not shift electricity costs onto Canadians, create "lasting local benefits," and bring "strategic value" to Canada. More than 20 companies signed on, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Meta.