Landlords across Canada are obligated to provide a minimum level of heat in the winter, but the same doesn’t apply for cooling systems in the extreme heat. With rising temperatures, advocates are saying it’s time to consider setting a hot temperature limit for rental housing, where methods of cooling would need to be supplied.

A report by the British Columbia government after the extreme heat event in 2021, with what was called the heat dome, states that 98 per cent of the 619 heat-related deaths were in homes without adequate cooling systems, and the deaths were higher among those living in socially or materially deprived neighbourhoods. Poor quality housing, homelessness and overall deprivation were identified as risk factors. An analysis of the deaths in the 2018 Quebec heat wave had similar findings.

A report from the Canadian Environmental Law Association, the Low-Income Energy Network and the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario says equity concerns must be built into any policy measure to address extreme heat as certain populations are more at risk for heat related illnesses and death. This includes seniors, infants and young children, individuals with chronic illnesses and mobility challenges, and individuals that are socially disadvantaged.