Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves in Toronto, and it's only expected to get worse. Landlords are expected to maintain a minimum temperature of 20 degrees Celsius in the winter, but there's no law or policy in place to put any limits on the maximum temperature allowed in our homes. Instead, tenants all over Toronto are being prevented from installing air conditioners in their homes all the while the costs of energy retrofits are being downloaded onto us through above guideline rent increases. That's why we're demanding fair protections from hot temperature for renters. It's too hot to wait any longer.
We call on York South-Weston City Councillor and Mayor John Tory to:
- immediately implement a maximum indoor temperature of 26 degrees Celsius for all residential apartments in Toronto.
- ensure all new rental buildings developed in the City of Toronto have integrated and efficient cooling systems in place.
We call on Premier Ford and Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark to:
- immediately implement a maximum indoor temperature of 26 degrees in the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), parallel to the minimum temperature of 20 degrees celsius already in the law.
- amend the RTA so that the costs of energy retrofits can no longer be passed onto tenants through above guideline rent increases.