The Heat Collaborative is a network of organizations active in Ontario on the growing problem of extreme heat and its impacts on vulnerable communities and individuals for whom we advocate. Ontario has had an unprecedented six multi-day heat warnings this summer, along with high humidity and wildfire smoke. Many seniors, children, tenants, workers and people with chronic illnesses are suffering.
Extreme heat is not going away. With climate change continuing to ramp up, this may well be the coldest summer for the rest of our lives.
We call on the provincial government to make extreme heat a priority, to act urgently to protect the vulnerable now and in the near future, to:
- Implement a comprehensive, province-wide extreme heat awareness program to help Ontario residents be safe
- Track and publicly report heat-related deaths and hospital visits
- Measure heat in schools and childcare centres and implement cooling to provide a safe environment for children on hot days
- Pass maximum temperature regulations for rental properties and farmworker housing to keep temperatures below 26°C
- Expand retrofit funding for landlords of private rental housing and other landlords with low-income tenants, incorporating strong tenant protections against above guideline rent increases and anti-eviction conditions
- Pass protective heat stress regulations for the safety of workers who labour in hot conditions
- Require municipalities to assess heat islands and implement urban cooling strategies, and provide financial support for them to do so.
