After a 90-minute debate on Monday evening, Sault Ste. Marie city councillors rejected a proposal to pause new data center developments in the region. The discussion stemmed from a local petition opposing a cybersecurity monitoring and training center, including a data center, approved by the council in December 2025. Spearheaded by Protexxa and Missanabie Cree First Nation, the project aims to utilize artificial intelligence to address cyber issues for various organizations and governments.
During the council meeting, Ward 3 Coun. Angela Caputo suggested an interim control bylaw to halt any new data center proposals until additional policies were established. Despite her plea for a pause to plan thoughtfully, Mayor Matthew Shoemaker and other councillors expressed reservations about the moratorium details, leading Caputo to retract the motion.
Instead, a new motion is anticipated at the upcoming meeting on Aug. 31, tasking city staff with creating specific guidelines for data centers in Sault Ste. Marie, inclusive of public input opportunities. The decision is unlikely to impact the approved Protexxa data center project on Yates Avenue, pending the completion of the property sale.
In the debate, Mayor Shoemaker cautioned against categorizing all data centers alike, distinguishing between smaller-scale projects like Protexxa’s and larger “hyperscale” facilities that demand substantial resources. City officials clarified that the Sault’s existing power infrastructure could support Protexxa’s five-megawatt facility but not a hyperscale operation. The city’s Planning Director, Peter Tonazzo, highlighted the compatibility of similar-sized server rooms in the area, emphasizing the need for council approval for any data center rezoning.
Shoemaker argued against a moratorium on future data center proposals, citing existing processes to assess project viability. He emphasized the thorough review and consultation involved in approving the Protexxa facility, suggesting room for process enhancements without discrediting past decisions.