Toronto has initiated a new program to provide free portable air conditioners to low-income seniors in response to the ongoing heat warnings in the city. The initiative, launched in May, aims to offer relief to vulnerable seniors during the hot summer months.
Since the beginning of the program, over 380 portable air conditioner units have been distributed to seniors across Toronto. Mayor Olivia Chow expressed that while the pilot program is a positive step, more needs to be done to support seniors in need of cooling solutions.
The $200,000 program, outlined in the city’s 2025 budget, is set to provide 500 air conditioner units to low-income seniors throughout Toronto. Chow mentioned exploring the possibility of mandating landlords to install air conditioning in all apartments across the city to further address the issue.
James Nowlan, Toronto’s executive director of environment, climate, and forestry, shared that the program received over 1,400 applications, and the air conditioner units were allocated to seniors through a lottery system to ensure fairness due to the limited availability.
Amidst air quality warnings and heat advisories in the Greater Toronto Area, the city emphasized the importance of staying cool and hydrated. Seniors without air conditioning were advised to use fans, visit cool rooms available in libraries and community centers, and take necessary precautions to beat the heat.
During a news conference held in the Greenwood-Coxwell neighborhood, where an air conditioner was installed at a senior’s home, 77-year-old Helen Bourke expressed gratitude for the cooling relief, describing it as an early birthday gift. Councillor Paula Fletcher highlighted the significance of providing comfortable living conditions for seniors during extreme heat conditions, emphasizing the positive impact of having air conditioning units in their homes.