Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon defends Ottawa's push to attract billions of dollars into AI and data centres as the public raises questions about everything from electricity and water consumption to privacy, jobs and pace of development.

The province’s pitch identifies seven energy and transmission opportunities, six mining and critical-mineral projects and two AI and advanced-manufacturing plays.

The source said national-security sensitivities around allowing foreign investors into major Canadian airports could be one of the factors behind their absence, though they said they were not directly involved in transportation policy and could not say definitively why individual airport projects were not selected.

Technology was the leading sector between Sept. 5 and Sept. 11, accounting for roughly 14 per cent of all new registrations.

Ontario’s Big City Mayors have been pushing the province for additional resources and policy changes through their “Solve the Crisis” campaign, including more supportive housing and treatment capacity and a review of Ontario’s mental health and consent laws.

Answering a question by QP Briefing this Thursday, Ford said he wants to discuss the issue with municipal leaders who have been urging the province to review the legislation governing involuntary admission and consent to treatment.

The shuffle comes at an important point for the government, with the legislature scheduled to return Oct. 27 after its summer recess and Ontario having to respond to the U.S. tariffs.

Ford said Thursday that the trade dispute with U.S. President Donald Trump was central to his thinking about the revamped cabinet.

Supriya Dwivedi, a columnist and Erskine-Smith supporter, called the results "disappointing" and showed the need for party renewal.