Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow aims to enhance the city's heat relief strategy in response to extreme heat affecting residents. During a heat wave with temperatures exceeding 30°C, she's proposing a review that includes the restoration of 24/7 cooling centres for unhoused people, which were closed in 2019. Advocates argue that the current network of 500 facilities, such as libraries and community centres, doesn't sufficiently support the unhoused. Lorraine Lam from the Shelter Housing and Justice Network stresses the urgent need to open cooling centres now to prevent health emergencies, emphasizing the inadequacy of current measures.
We don't need another review. We know the heat is dangerous. Just open up the cooling centres now. Frankly, I am very concerned that somebody might die in this heat.
Whether you are housed or unhoused, we want to make sure everyone is safe.
There are gaps in the city's response to hot weather.
The heat relief network is shamefully inadequate.
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