City installing AC units for seniors as Toronto sizzles under another heat warning
The city launched the pilot program in May to provide free portable air conditioners to low-income, vulnerable seniors.
Since early this month, more than 380 portable air conditioner units have been delivered to seniors across Toronto, the city said in a release.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said at a news conference Monday that the pilot program is a start, but it's "nowhere near enough."
"Many deaths were recorded in the last 10, 20 years because of heat waves, so having air conditioning helps, especially for the most vulnerable seniors," said Chow.
Chow said the pilot program is a $200,000 initiative outlined in the city's 2025 budget and will result in 500 air conditioner units being provided to low-income seniors across the city.
She said she's looking into whether she can mandate landlords to install air conditioners in every apartment in the city.
Toronto's executive director of environment, climate and forestry, James Nowlan, said at the news conference that the program received over 1,400 applicants, and the air conditioner units were assigned to seniors through a lottery system.
Chow said the lottery ensures "fairness," as the city has only 500 AC units to provide.
The news conference comes as parts of the Greater Toronto Area is under an air quality warning on Monday, alongside an ongoing heat warning in the region.
Chow said the seniors who don't have air conditioners in their homes should use fans, stay hydrated, and visit cool rooms, if needed. She said there are over 500 cool rooms around the city, including at libraries and community centres.
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