In Canada, the traditional image of snowy landscapes is shifting to one of heat waves and wildfires as increasing threats to health and the environment. Despite this change, most residential regulations focus on cold weather, mandating heating and insulation but not cooling systems. With rising temperatures and heat-related deaths, demands for cooling rules are growing among tenants, politicians, and climate advocates. The ongoing debate in municipal councils from British Columbia to Newfoundland revolves around who should bear the cost of necessary upgrades.
New Westminster, B.C., recently set a precedent by enacting a pioneering maximum heat bylaw requiring rental units to maintain a minimum safe indoor temperature of 26°C between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. This bylaw gained traction following the 2021 heat dome, which resulted in 619 deaths, mostly among seniors and individuals with health vulnerabilities in older apartment buildings that were not designed for extreme heat.
While the New Westminster bylaw does not mandate specific upgrades, it prohibits landlords from banning air conditioning units. The flexibility of the bylaw allows for various solutions, such as window glazing or shading, to address heat issues. Similar measures are being considered across Canada due to the increasing health and financial toll of heat-related hospitalizations. However, concerns linger about the financial burden on tenants if landlords pass on the retrofit costs through rent increases.
Efforts are underway in different provinces to mandate cooling in various types of buildings to combat rising temperatures. A pilot project in B.C. aims to retrofit over 5,000 older housing units, creating new jobs and reducing energy consumption. While financing options are being explored, there is a push for government intervention to ensure tenants are not burdened with the costs of necessary upgrades.
In conclusion, the debate on heat bylaws in Canada underscores the urgent need to balance housing affordability with climate adaptation measures to protect vulnerable populations from extreme heat events.