Canada: Utilities

Canada is rapidly becoming a key destination for data centre investment, fueled by artificial intelligence and cloud computing growth. However, this expansion places unprecedented demands on electricity grids, water resources, and local communities. As federal and provincial governments introduce new frameworks to manage these resource challenges, developers and investors must navigate an increasingly complex landscape where power strategy...

Saskatchewan's new Data Centre Framework and Canada's Responsible Data Centre Development Principles establish comprehensive guidelines for data centre development, emphasizing Canadian ownership, data sovereignty, and bring-your-own-power requirements. How will these frameworks shape the future of data centre investments and operations across Canadian provinces, and what challenges remain in implementing these high-level policy priorities?

Digital infrastructure operators in Ontario are capitalizing on Canada’s growing reputation as a premier data centre jurisdiction. Demand for grid access in the province has increased substantially, with an interconnection queue potentially reaching 10,000 MW. In response, on August 13, 2026, the province released its draft Data Centre Playbook (the “Playbook”).

La Société indépendante d'exploitation du réseau d'électricité de l'Ontario lance un processus de comités d'identification des grands projets pour recenser les projets d'au moins 10 MW et soutenir...

The federal government has unveiled a national electricity strategy aimed at doubling Canada's electricity capacity by 2050 while advancing reliability, affordability, competitiveness and decarbonization.

Ontario is fundamentally restructuring water and wastewater service delivery through the Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act, 2025, moving services from municipal departments into arm's-length public corporations. With the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing now actively soliciting municipal expressions of interest, this framework presents both strategic opportunities and significant governance implications that municipalities must understand and engage with now, even before the legislation...

Holding companies (or "HoldCos") are ubiquitous in modern corporate and financial structures, and serve various business purposes. Within the realm of Ontario's electricity distribution sector, HoldCos are generally...

In its decision in North Vancouver (City) v British Columbia (Utilities Commission) ("Utilities Commission"), the British Columbia Court of Appeal (the "BCCA") made clear it will not entertain...

On June 18, 2024 (revised on July 11, 2024), the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) issued its updated Handbook to Electricity Distributor and Transmitter Consolidations...