City installing AC units for seniors as Toronto sizzles under another heat warning

As Toronto deals with another heat warning this summer, the city is installing air conditioner units for seniors as part of a new pilot program.

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.

Units assigned through a lottery system 

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.

The news conference took place in front of a building in Toronto's Greenwood-Coxwell neighbourhood, where the city installed an air conditioner at a senior's home.

Helen Bourke, who's turning 77 on Sunday, said the new air conditioner feels like "an early birthday present."

"It feels wonderful. It's way better than my fan. We'll get to sleep tonight," said Burke.

"I've had blinds and windows closed all day, and I sleep with a fan pointed at me. That's all I could do, but now I'll be cool."

She said she signed up for the pilot program in May as she had been living in her unit without air conditioning for almost two years.

The area's councillor, Paula Fletcher, said at the news conference that seniors deserve to have a comfortable summer. 

"Extreme heat takes a tremendous toll on your health, particularly on the health of seniors, so [an] air conditioner in the unit will really change the lives for seniors here," she said.