Tessera

Folgen

Emmerson Jull

@emmersonj.bsky.social

freelance reporter | climate & politics for Canada’s National Observer

7 Posts19 Follower 10 Folgt

Cloe Logan @cloelogan.bsky.social · yesterday

A proposed municipal pause on AI data centres in Hamilton seemed like a done deal. All but 1 of the 16 elected officials in the city voted in favour of bringing the bylaw forward. Then, the majority flipped. Here's what happened + what implications it could have for other municipalities.

Hamilton's mysterious data centre reversal haunts other municipalities

All but one of the 16 elected officials in the city had voted in favour of a bylaw that would put a pause on new data centres in the city for a year. Then, at a council meeting the following month whe...

nationalobserver.com

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · yesterday

The province’s auditor general confirmed Friday that she is conducting a performance audit on wildland fire management.

Not an inquiry, but an audit: Ontario to review its wildfire response

The province’s auditor general will be conducting a review of the Ministry of Natural Resources’ wildland fire management

nationalobserver.com

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 7d ago

If the bylaw passes when it returns to council in September, it could set a precedent in Canada — but questions about its legality remain.

Mississauga council votes unanimously to advance data centre moratorium

A proposed one-year pause on data centre applications was supported 11-0; the bylaw is subject to final approval in September.

nationalobserver.com

Emmerson Jull @emmersonj.bsky.social · 7d ago

Mississauga councillors vote 11-0 to support a one-year pause on data centres. If approved on Sept. 16, this could be the first interim control bylaw in Canada. It’s likely to face appeals. My latest for @nationalobserver.com www.nationalobserver.com/2026/07/29/n...

Mississauga votes for data centre moratorium that could set Canadian precedent

A proposed one-year pause on data centre applications was supported 11-0; the bylaw is subject to final approval in September.

nationalobserver.com

Emmerson Jull @emmersonj.bsky.social · 7d ago

Some confusion at Mississauga’s council meeting today re: Bill 40 and who foots the energy bill for data centres. Bill 40 has the scaffolding, but no real criteria in place. I wrote about it yesterday for @nationalobserver.com www.nationalobserver.com/2026/07/29/n...

Ontario says data centres will pay full energy costs — but some say power bills could still rise

Data centre companies will have to cover 100 per cent of their energy costs to connect to Ontario's power grid, Energy Minister Stephen Lecce said Tuesday — but some observers say the spike in demand ...

nationalobserver.com

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · last wk.

Data centres are shaping up to be a major election issue for voters in Ontario's upcoming municipal elections.

Where data centres are proposed, Ontario voters have questions for their local candidates

Residents are concerned over the risks presented by the developments, which are part of a global boom driven by AI. And the public backlash is starting to shape the platforms of candidates.

nationalobserver.com

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · last wk.

MP Julie Dzerowicz, who represents the federal riding of Davenport, said the decision shows the government is listening to the people of Toronto — where the Liberals have an important upcoming byelection.

Liberals back away from Ford's Billy Bishop expansion as Toronto by-election looms

MP Julie Dzerowicz, who represents the federal riding of Davenport and is the chair of the Toronto Liberal caucus, said the decision shows the Liberals are listening to the people of Toronto.

nationalobserver.com

Cloe Logan @cloelogan.bsky.social · 3w ago

I went through 10 years of budgets for this story to compare money allotted vs money spent. Almost every year under Ford, Ontario has significantly under budgeted the amount it spends on emergency wildfire response. Comparison chart in this story, which is not behind a paywall. #onpoli

Ontario budgets just $150M for wildfires despite burning through almost double last year

In 2025’s budget, Ontario allotted $135 million for its Emergency Forest Firefighting fund, but the province ended up spending double that: $271 million, according to this year’s budget. The same docu...

nationalobserver.com

Emmerson Jull @emmersonj.bsky.social · 3w ago

Today for @nationalobserver.com: Why critics are saying Ford’s promise to “spare no expense” fighting Ont fires doesn’t make up for this year’s $150mil budget.

Canada's National Observer@nationalobserver.com · 3w ago

Leaders from the opposition have criticized the Ontario government for not allocating enough money to this year’s firefighting budget. Ford earmarked $150 million to this year’s Emergency Forest Firefighting fund, despite nearly twice that amount having been spent in 2025.

Canada's National Observer @nationalobserver.com · 3w ago

In the heat of the evacuations, and with a lack of reliable information, evacuees are hearing rumours — including fears that if their homes are razed by wildfires, it will be easier for industry to start mining in their community.

Ontario wildfire response fans fires of distrust

With the provincial government keeping a low profile and a dearth of solid information, some of the people impacted by the wildfires raging in Ontario's north are seeking alternative explanations.

nationalobserver.com

Emmerson Jull @emmersonj.bsky.social · 3w ago

Ontario taxpayers were charged thousands of dollars for MPP hotel stays, despite them living within 50km from Queen’s Park. Is paying the money back enough? @nationalobserver.com www.nationalobserver.com/2026/07/16/n...

MPPs billing taxpayers for Toronto hotels should be held accountable, opposition says

Several Ontario Progressive Conservatives charged tens of thousands of dollars in hotel stays to public despite living in or near the city.

nationalobserver.com

Emmerson Jull @emmersonj.bsky.social · 3w ago

Most recently for @nationalobserver.com, on the ground during Tuesday's record-breaking heat:

Canada's National Observer@nationalobserver.com · 3w ago

Construction workers took breaks from the heat, grouped in small pockets of shade. Pedestrians carried umbrellas, wore brimmed hats and pushed strollers covered by thin blankets. Parents sweat under the sun while their children cooled down playing in the city’s splash pads.

Emmerson Jull @emmersonj.bsky.social · 4w ago

Mississauga is just one Ontario municipality rallying against giant data centres. Footage from a town hall and councillor statements show support for a moratorium on data centre developments + concern towards current 229k sq ft Prologis proposal: www.nationalobserver.com/2026/07/10/n...

A proposed Mississauga data centre experiences growing pushback

At least six of the city's councillors are having second thoughts about a proposed data centre.

nationalobserver.com

Emmerson Jull @emmersonj.bsky.social · 4w ago

My first story as a freelance GTA reporter for @nationalobserver.com, on whether taxpayers will foot the bill for the newly proposed Alberta-Ontario pipeline.

Canada's National Observer@nationalobserver.com · 4w ago

When Ford was asked by a reporter who he was planning to have to pay for the project, he said, “We’ll reach out to the private sector,” Ford said, and added that the province is looking at “all options.”