Politics · Canada · 1 day ago
Centre Wellington weighs a one-year pause on data centre projects
Spur Innovation wants to turn a vacant former copper tubing plant in Fergus, Ontario, into an AI data centre.
Fergus is part of Centre Wellington, a township of about 35,000 people roughly 100 kilometres northwest of Toronto.
Some residents are concerned about the facility’s possible effects on energy use, water, noise and the environment.
Elora resident Carolyn Sharp started a petition calling for a pause, which received more than 2,300 signatures.
At a council meeting, she urged officials to develop stronger standards before the project moves ahead.
Spur chief executive Sharif Virani also presented the company’s case to councillors.
Council considered a motion for a one-year moratorium on data centre projects so staff could study potential issues and develop rules.
The account does not say whether council approved the motion.
Centre Wellington council is considering a one-year moratorium on data centre projects, including a proposed AI data centre in Fergus.
The pause would give township staff time to study possible issues and develop rules for such facilities.
Spur Innovation proposes to retrofit a vacant former copper tubing plant in Fergus into a data centre.
Some residents have raised concerns and called for stricter standards on noise, energy, water, air quality and environmental protection.
A petition calling for a moratorium received more than 2,300 signatures.
- Who
- Centre Wellington council is weighing a moratorium. Spur Innovation proposed the data centre, while some residents oppose it.
- What
- The township is considering a one-year pause on data centre projects.
- When
- The issue was discussed at a Sept. 28 council meeting; the article was published Oct. 10, 2026.
- Where
- Fergus, in Centre Wellington township in southwestern Ontario.
- Why
- The pause would allow staff to study possible issues and develop guardrails; residents have raised concerns about the project.
Residents seeking a moratorium
Spur Innovation
Project
Residents seeking a moratorium
Residents have called for a pause and stronger standards before the development proceeds.
Spur Innovation
Spur Innovation proposes to retrofit the former copper tubing plant into a data centre.
I really hope that this gives the new council the opportunity to understand what this is all about and make sure we’re doing the right thing for our community
The community definitely does not want it
It just feels like it’s being forced upon us, and I think there should be a lot more strict regulations in place.
Carolyn Sharp said she began a petition after reading local media coverage of Spur Innovation’s plan.
The petition calling for a moratorium had received more than 2,300 signatures.
Sharp urged councillors to take a measured approach and develop stronger standards.
Centre Wellington council considered a motion for a one-year moratorium on data centre projects.
- Proposed pause
- One year
- Petition
- More than 2,300 signatures
- Proposed site
- Former Wolverine Tube plant, 865 Gartshore St., Fergus
- Site size
- 25 acres
- Proponent
- Spur Innovation, a Waterloo-based tech venture studio and AI infrastructure operator
- Community population
- About 35,000 people
Sources
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