🔥🏢 Calgary advocates are calling for a maximum heat bylaw to protect renters as temperatures soar! 🌡️🏠 Read more about the push for cooler homes in our latest article. #Calgary #Alberta
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Advocates Call on Calgary to Develop Maximum Heat Bylaw for Rental Units
Introduction
A group of advocates and tenants in Calgary is urging the city to develop a maximum heat bylaw for rental units. This call to action follows a recent heat wave that saw temperatures soar into the low 30s Celsius. These advocates argue that such a bylaw is essential for tenant safety and comfort, especially during extreme heat events.
The Rally and Its Voices
ACORN Calgary's Advocacy
On a scorching Wednesday, ACORN Calgary advocates and supporters rallied outside The Birkenshaw Apartments in the city's Beltline. They carried signs with messages like "Heat Relief Now" and "Max Heat Bylaw." Abi Martin, a tenant union representative with ACORN Calgary, described her living conditions as "like a furnace."
"I can't open my windows due to the smoke from wildfires, and I'm asthmatic, so I can't breathe," Martin explained. Her building does not provide air conditioners, and tenants must pay an installation fee to add their own units.
The Proposal for Maximum Heat Legislation
The proposed bylaw would ensure that rental units do not exceed 26 degrees Celsius during high outdoor temperatures. Similar initiatives are being explored in other municipalities like Toronto and Hamilton. Toronto's city council has directed staff to study maximum temperature requirements, with a report expected by the end of next year. In Hamilton, city councillors may soon vote on a similar proposal.
The Broader Context
Learning from Past Heatwaves
Steve Bentley, a lifelong renter and co-founder of Calgary Climate Hub, highlighted the dangers of extreme heat, referencing the B.C. heat dome of 2021 that resulted in over 600 deaths. "We need these protections to prevent more loss of life," Bentley said, supporting the maximum heat rules.
Current Provincial Standards
In Alberta, housing standards are enforced by the province. Existing legislation requires rental units to maintain a minimum indoor temperature of 22 degrees but does not set a maximum temperature. Brandon Aboultaif, spokesperson for Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally, stated that while landlords are encouraged to ensure their units are safe and comfortable, the province is open to feedback on maximum heat rules.
The Need for Change
Cooling as a Human Right
Courtney Walcott, a Calgary city councillor, criticized the current standards: "We have rules to prevent apartments from freezing, but nothing to stop them from becoming unbearably hot." He emphasized that with the increasing frequency of extreme heat days, homes are becoming unlivable without adequate cooling.
Caroline Metz, managing director of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo, echoed this sentiment. She argued that just as we provide heating in winter, we should ensure rental units remain cool in summer. "A maximum indoor temperature would prevent excessive overheating," Metz said.
Urban Heat Challenges
Metz noted that urban areas, with their large apartment buildings and lack of natural cooling elements like trees and water, experience more intense heat. Data from the Climate Atlas of Canada shows that Calgary is expected to see an average of 32 days per year with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius between 2051 and 2080, compared to just five days per year between 1976 and 2005.
Conclusion
The call for a maximum heat bylaw in Calgary highlights a pressing need to address the impacts of extreme heat on renters. As temperatures continue to rise, it's crucial to implement measures that ensure safe and comfortable living conditions. By adopting such bylaws, Calgary can protect its residents from the dangers of excessive indoor heat and improve overall public health.