The Ford government is pushing ahead with legislation that would give it sweeping new powers to decide which companies — particularly data centres — can connect to Ontario’s electricity grid. Critics say the move could open the door to political interference, weaken public oversight and erode investor confidence.

“There’s always a risk when corporate interests are negotiating agreements with governments in back rooms,” he said. “They [the Ford government] often point to external pressures — energy demand, housing need, trade tariffs — as reasons to act quickly. But it’s really about removing democratic guardrails and making it easier to cut backroom deals with powerful corporations.”