Aug 20, 2024 – Tenants’ rights and environmental justice advocates are calling on Ottawa city council to pass a maximum temperature by-law to protect tenants from the health risks of extreme heat.
“The climate crisis is making extreme heat days more frequent and as a result many tenants are unsafe in their homes. If Ottawa councilors don’t act, tenants will increasingly suffer and some could even die,” said Jacqueline Wilson, counsel with the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA).
A maximum temperature by-law would require landlords to put infrastructure in place to ensure that rental units are maintained at a maximum of 26 degrees Celsius.
”Renters are not prioritized when climate change policy is being made but we are the ones who are impacted the deepest. Extreme heat kills people every year and climate change is only getting worse. Yet, 40% of tenants who responded to ACORN’s recent survey said they do not have air conditioning/cooling in their unit – this needs to change.” said Norma Jean Quibell, a board member with Ottawa ACORN.
The groups say such a by-law is needed to protect vulnerable communities that are more sensitive to extreme heat. This includes seniors, infants and young children, individuals with chronic illnesses and mobility challenges, and individuals that are socially and economically disadvantaged.
The Chief Coroner of British Columbia found that the primary cause of injury and death during the 2021 extreme heat event was when indoor temperatures remained above 26 degrees throughout the heat event. The policy solution must be indoors where people are most at risk.
CELA and ACORN have both released reports this summer explaining why and how city councilors can take action to protect tenants in Ottawa.
It has been five years since Ottawa City Council declared a climate emergency. The groups say passing such a by-law would be in line with Ottawa’s draft climate resilience plan, which says the city should take steps to mitigate extreme heat.
Extreme heat is more than just an inconvenience, it’s a serious health hazard. A maximum temperature bylaw would ensure that indoor environments remain safe and comfortable, regardless of external weather conditions.
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Information:
Ottawa ACORN, Engaging Tenants in Climate Action: A Report on Tenants’ Biggest Climate Issues, Barriers and Solutions, July 2024: https://acorncanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ottawa-Climate-Report-2024.pdf
Canadian Environmental Law Association, The Urgent Need for a Maximum Temperature By-Law in Ottawa, August 2024: https://cela.ca/the-urgent-need-for-a-maximum-temperature-by-law-in-ottawa/
Media Contacts:
Ashley Reyns, Ontario ACORN – Regional Director, ACORN: ottawa@acorncanada.org or 613-447-4270
Jacqueline Wilson, Counsel, Canadian Environmental Law Association: jacqueline@cela.ca or 416-960-2284 ext. 7213
Media Release: City of Ottawa Must Urgently Protect Tenants from Extreme Heat in Rental Housing
Aug 20, 2024 – Tenants’ rights and environmental justice advocates are calling on Ottawa city council to pass a maximum temperature by-law to protect tenants from the health risks of extreme heat.
“The climate crisis is making extreme heat days more frequent and as a result many tenants are unsafe in their homes. If Ottawa councilors don’t act, tenants will increasingly suffer and some could even die,” said Jacqueline Wilson, counsel with the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA).
A maximum temperature by-law would require landlords to put infrastructure in place to ensure that rental units are maintained at a maximum of 26 degrees Celsius.
”Renters are not prioritized when climate change policy is being made but we are the ones who are impacted the deepest. Extreme heat kills people every year and climate change is only getting worse. Yet, 40% of tenants who responded to ACORN’s recent survey said they do not have air conditioning/cooling in their unit – this needs to change.” said Norma Jean Quibell, a board member with Ottawa ACORN.
The groups say such a by-law is needed to protect vulnerable communities that are more sensitive to extreme heat. This includes seniors, infants and young children, individuals with chronic illnesses and mobility challenges, and individuals that are socially and economically disadvantaged.
The Chief Coroner of British Columbia found that the primary cause of injury and death during the 2021 extreme heat event was when indoor temperatures remained above 26 degrees throughout the heat event. The policy solution must be indoors where people are most at risk.
CELA and ACORN have both released reports this summer explaining why and how city councilors can take action to protect tenants in Ottawa.
It has been five years since Ottawa City Council declared a climate emergency. The groups say passing such a by-law would be in line with Ottawa’s draft climate resilience plan, which says the city should take steps to mitigate extreme heat.
Extreme heat is more than just an inconvenience, it’s a serious health hazard. A maximum temperature bylaw would ensure that indoor environments remain safe and comfortable, regardless of external weather conditions.
– 30 –
Information:
Ottawa ACORN, Engaging Tenants in Climate Action: A Report on Tenants’ Biggest Climate Issues, Barriers and Solutions, July 2024: https://acorncanada.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ottawa-Climate-Report-2024.pdf
Canadian Environmental Law Association, The Urgent Need for a Maximum Temperature By-Law in Ottawa, August 2024: https://cela.ca/the-urgent-need-for-a-maximum-temperature-by-law-in-ottawa/
Media Contacts:
Ashley Reyns, Ontario ACORN – Regional Director, ACORN: ottawa@acorncanada.org or 613-447-4270
Jacqueline Wilson, Counsel, Canadian Environmental Law Association: jacqueline@cela.ca or 416-960-2284 ext. 7213
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