Oakville pauses new data centre development for one year

Oakville has temporarily prohibited new data centre development while it reviews potential planning and infrastructure impacts. Dentons reported that Town Council passed Interim Control By-law 2026-129 on Aug. 11, 2026, making Oakville the first Ontario municipality to impose such a pause.

The review will examine electricity demand, water and wastewater capacity, telecommunications, environmental considerations, noise, emissions, land-use compatibility, employment lands and economic development. The article says Oakville has not received a formal data centre application, although staff have reported industry inquiries and preliminary discussions.

The by-law can be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal until Oct. 1, 2026. Separately, the Ontario government announced consultations on a provincial Data Centre Playbook on Aug. 13, 2026, focused on attracting digital infrastructure investment while addressing electricity, environmental and community concerns.

Reported by dentons.com

GO service changes coming Sept. 5, with rush-hour trips unchanged

Oakville News reports that Metrolinx will adjust GO rail and bus schedules starting Sept. 5, while rush-hour service remains unchanged across the network.

Weekend trains on the Lakeshore East and Lakeshore West lines will return to 30-minute service. Weekday midday and evening Niagara Falls service, along with some weekday evening and weekend trips on the Barrie and Stouffville lines, will also change.

Replacement bus routes 65, 68 and 71 will support some Barrie and Stouffville customers when trains are not running. Metrolinx advises passengers to check departure and arrival times before travelling; the interim measures are expected to continue until spring 2027.

Reported by oakvillenews.org

Two Oakville players named to NFL rosters

Oakville News reports that Michael Hoecht and Kurtis Rourke will represent Oakville in the NFL this season. Hoecht is listed as a defensive end with the Buffalo Bills, while Rourke is a quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers.

Hoecht returns to the Bills after a season-ending injury in 2025. His availability for the season opener remains uncertain, according to the report.

Rourke, who was drafted by San Francisco in 2025, impressed during training camp and the pre-season despite breaking three ribs in a pre-season game. He was selected as the 49ers’ third-string quarterback.

Reported by oakvillenews.org