Keeping cool in heatwaves

Experts are predicting that between 2050 and 2080, almost all major Canadian cities will see an increase in maximum daily temperature of between 3°C and 5°C. [1] Record-breaking heatwaves are already hitting us hard – and we need to start building systems now to prevent the deadly consequences of excessive heat.

That’s why we’re calling on Premier Ford, Health Minister Jones, and Housing Minister Clark to amend Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act, adding a maximum temperature of 26°C as a vital service which landlords must maintain. This would force landlords to install cooling systems and keep tenants safe from increasing heat.

But if we want the Ford government to take the threat of extreme heat seriously, we have to be loud. 4,347 Leadnow members have already signed the petition – Yanick, will you join them in standing up for cooling as a human right?

Too often, a lack of protections for tenants leaves renters more vulnerable to climate impacts. In BC, some landlords are even trying to stop tenants from installing the free air conditioning units BC Hydro is providing to the elderly, vulnerable and low-income residents who are most at risk for health impacts from extreme heat. [2]

While air conditioning uses significant electricity and contributes to global heating, heat pumps are emerging as a sustainable alternative. [3,4] But heat pumps are more expensive, and it’s not fair for that cost to be passed on to tenants at a time when rents are already unaffordable for many. [5] The legislation we’re calling for would ensure that everyone has the right to cooling systems during heatwaves — without pushing low-income renters out of their homes.

Already, 4,347 Leadnow supporters have signed the petition calling on Ford, Jones, and Clark to protect renters in Ontario from extreme heat. If you agree that access to cooling is a human right, will you add your name today?

https://act.leadnow.ca/max-temp-for-renters

With determination,

Rivka and Kate, on behalf of Leadnow

Sources:

[1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/heat-experts-cooling-centres-1.6899857

[2] https://thetyee.ca/News/2023/07/21/Renters-Air-Conditioner-Wars

[3] https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/air-conditioners-sustainability-heat-1.6914054

[4] https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/heat-pumps-for-homes-are-the-great-hope-to-replace-fossil-fuels-zql8tgmgg

[5] https://www.thestar.com/business/toronto-s-rent-crisis-minimum-wage-would-have-to-hit-40-an-hour-for-workers/article_19d029ca-1390-5221-8727-3ff6e3bec00e.html

Dear Yanick,

Our homes should be sanctuaries, not overheating coffins. Yet amidst record-breaking heatwaves, too many of us have sat sweltering in overheated apartments this summer.

The consequences can be deadly. Right now, the Ontario coroner is investigating at least three heat-related deaths, and 70 are being investigated in Montreal following the latest heatwave. [1,2]

There is a simple solution. In winter, landlords are legally required to provide heating to protect tenants from the cold. [3] Requiring cooling in summer is no different.

The provincial government could make a small change to Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act to add a maximum temperature of 26°C as a vital service which landlords must maintain. This would force landlords to install cooling systems and keep tenants safe from increasing heat.

Here’s the first step to making that happen. Ford’s government has shown that they won’t take any measures unless we force them to. A flood of big public support for protection for renters could prove to them this life-saving change is highly popular — and help convince them to make this small change.

Will you sign the petition calling on Doug Ford, Health Minister Sylvia Jones, and Housing Minister Steve Clark to protect tenants from extreme heat?

Most of the 619 heat-related deaths in BC’s heat dome two years ago were in homes without cooling systems like air conditioners or fans. [4] Poverty doubled the likelihood of death. BC Hydro is installing over 8,000 free air conditioning units across BC, with calls for more as temperatures continue to rise. [5]

We know that lack of tenant protections has a disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities. [6] Lower income neighbourhoods, with Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities, often lack tree canopy to provide cooling shade, so that environmental inequity is baked into our urban fabric. [7]

Last summer, the Ontario Human Rights Commission declared access to cooling to be a human rights issue. [8] Along with the Canadian Environmental Law Association and ONDP housing critic MPP Jessica Bell, the Commission has been campaigning for a maximum temperature rule. [9,10] It’s time for tenants to get guaranteed protection from extreme heat.

Will you demand that Ontario’s government force landlords to protect tenants from overheating?

https://act.leadnow.ca/max-temp-for-renters

With hope,

Cheryl and Maggie, on behalf of Leadnow

Sources:

[1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ontario-investigating-heat-deaths-1.4740786

[2] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/heat-wave-death-toll-1.4740031

[3] https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/06r17

[4] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-heat-dome-coroners-report-1.6480026

[5] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-announces-10m-for-free-air-conditioners-1.6890450

[6] https://ici.radio-canada.ca/info/2022/07/ilots-chaleur-villes-inegalites-injustice-changements-climatiques/en

[7] https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/features/2022/heat-island-solutions

[8] https://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/news_centre/ohrc-statement-human-rights-extreme-heat-waves-and-air-conditioning

[9] https://cela.ca/report-recommendations-for-municipalities-extreme-heat-and-rental-housing

[10] https://www.jessicabellmpp.ca/keepcool