Forum Topics
Energy | Powering the digital future: Energy challenges and opportunities for data centres
Canada’s ability to expand its digital infrastructure will depend heavily on access to reliable and competitively priced energy. This panel will examine the energy landscape in 2026, the realities of powering large-scale digital infrastructure and the outlook for Canadian energy in the context of increasing data centre development. Panellists will also consider the commercial and operational challenges involved in acquiring or developing data centre assets where sufficient energy capacity is not readily available.
Regulatory | Data centre development: The regulatory roadmap
Developing a data centre requires navigating a complex and evolving regulatory environment. This panel will explore the principal considerations that can affect a project’s viability and timeline, including social acceptability, land-use planning, Indigenous considerations and property taxation. The discussion will highlight how organizations can identify regulatory risks early and position projects for responsible, sustainable development.
Investment | Investing in digital infrastructure: Opportunities and risks in data centre development
Data centres are attracting significant attention from institutional investors, private equity firms and strategic operators. This panel will examine the opportunities and challenges associated with investing in the sector, including the acquisition and sale of data centre assets. Panellists will discuss key commercial risks, market dynamics and the considerations that can influence investment decisions throughout a project’s lifecycle.
Data sovereignty | Securing Canada’s digital future
As organizations increasingly rely on data-intensive technologies and cloud infrastructure, questions surrounding the location, control and protection of data are becoming central to business and public policy decisions. This panel will consider how data centre development intersects with data sovereignty, cybersecurity, privacy, risk allocation and Canada’s broader economic interests.
Agenda
- 1:00 p.m. – Welcome remarks
- 1:05 p.m. – Keynote speaker
- 1:25 p.m. – Powering the digital future: Energy challenges and opportunities for data centres
- 2:05 p.m. – Data centre development: The regulatory roadmap
- 2:45 p.m. – Break
- 3:05 p.m. – Investing in digital infrastructure: Opportunities and risks in data centre development
- 3:45 p.m. – Data sovereignty in a connected world: Navigating control, compliance and risk
- 4:30 p.m. – Closing remarks
- 5:00 p.m. – Cocktail
