Blog post by Amna Khan, CELA Communications Intern
As of Oct. 7, 2026, Hamilton became Ontario’s first city to implement a maximum temperature by-law in apartments that don’t already have air conditioning. The by-law serves as a pilot program, setting a maximum temperature of 26°C in tenants’ homes in Hamilton’s Ward 2. The pilot program is expected to run for two summers and the city will look to expand in 2029.
CELA and partners including Hamilton ACORN, Environment Hamilton, Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario, Low-Income Energy Network, and the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly, have long advocated for protections from extreme heat in tenants’ homes, raising concerns about delays in protecting lower-income tenants from climate-related health risks.
CELA strongly supports the implementation of this by-law as a welcome protection for tenants living in Ward 2, and calls on Hamilton to expand this pilot program to the rest of the city. CELA urges other cities in Ontario to follow suit with an expansive maximum temperature by-law to ensure the safety of all tenants.
Climate change affects everyone, but unequally. People most affected by the heat are vulnerable communities, including low-income tenants, young children, seniors, and those with medical conditions and disabilities.
We’ve always had standards to prevent extreme cold in housing in Canada. With climate change, maximum heat rules should also be required. Hamilton’s by-law sets us in the right direction.
Blog: Hamilton Takes the Lead on Protecting Tenants from Extreme Heat
Blog post by Amna Khan, CELA Communications Intern
As of Oct. 7, 2026, Hamilton became Ontario’s first city to implement a maximum temperature by-law in apartments that don’t already have air conditioning. The by-law serves as a pilot program, setting a maximum temperature of 26°C in tenants’ homes in Hamilton’s Ward 2. The pilot program is expected to run for two summers and the city will look to expand in 2029.
CELA and partners including Hamilton ACORN, Environment Hamilton, Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario, Low-Income Energy Network, and the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly, have long advocated for protections from extreme heat in tenants’ homes, raising concerns about delays in protecting lower-income tenants from climate-related health risks.
CELA strongly supports the implementation of this by-law as a welcome protection for tenants living in Ward 2, and calls on Hamilton to expand this pilot program to the rest of the city. CELA urges other cities in Ontario to follow suit with an expansive maximum temperature by-law to ensure the safety of all tenants.
Climate change affects everyone, but unequally. People most affected by the heat are vulnerable communities, including low-income tenants, young children, seniors, and those with medical conditions and disabilities.
We’ve always had standards to prevent extreme cold in housing in Canada. With climate change, maximum heat rules should also be required. Hamilton’s by-law sets us in the right direction.
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