Capping temperatures in Ottawa

Good morning,

Geoff jumping back into the intro today. But don’t worry, we’ve got another great story by Charlie, who has the latest on why many are calling for a new heat bylaw in the city. 

It’s been a whirlwind almost four years here at the Lookout. And now we’re taking another huge step — we’re looking to expand our team of journalists. A big thank to all our paying members, without who none of this would be possible.

One role is a senior editor, the other is a reporter, as we look to grow the team around Charlie. If you think you might be a good fit, or know anyone who might be interested, please send them the job links. These are critical roles here at the Lookout as we continue expanding our journalism.

Without further delay, let’s dive into today’s stories.

Let’s get to it!

— Geoff Sharpe, Lookout founder and managing editor

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WEATHER

Monday: 22 🌡️ 16 | 🌧️

Tuesday: 22 🌡️ 15 | 🌧️

Wednesday: 22 🌡️ 12 | 🌤️

ENVIRONMENT

Ottawa MPP proposes maximum heat temperature for rentals

Imagine it’s a hot summer day. The heat is sweltering as you try to cool down in your hot apartment. It is a reality many Ottawa renters face, especially in older buildings that were constructed before heat pumps or central air conditioning were the norm for rentals.

But one local MPP is looking to change that. 

Newly elected Ottawa Centre NDP representative Catherine McKenney intends to bring a motion to Queen’s Park this fall that would establish a maximum temperature of 26 C that landlords must ensure their units do not exceed.

Currently, landlords are not required to provide cooling in the summer like they are with heat in the winter. 

“For starters, if somebody wants to install an air conditioning unit safely, a landlord cannot prevent them from doing so. But today, that does happen,” McKenney told the Lookout. 

In 2023, the Doug Ford-led Progressive Conservatives passed the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, a bill that would allow tenants to install their own window or portable air conditioner without their landlord being able to tell them no. Bill 97 received royal assent, but the provision around AC units was never implemented. 

“People die from excessive heat. It is especially dangerous for seniors, for people with disabilities, and for young children. And, you know, essentially what I'm saying is landlords should be responsible to keep their units at a maximum temperature of  26 degrees,” said McKenney. 

While the province of Ontario does not collect data on heat-related deaths, Statistics Canada does. It found that between 2000 and 2020, there were 670 more deaths than usual recorded in the country's 12 largest cities during periods of extreme heat that lasted two days or longer, according to CBC. 

This year it was a particularly hot summer in Ottawa with long periods of extreme temperatures, heat warnings and droughts. Even June broke records with a temperature of 35 C on June 23, which was higher than the previous record of 34.4 C set in 1921.

The scorching temperatures have inspired tenant advocacy group ACORN Ottawa to also fight for a heat bylaw. A report from the organization found that around half of low-to-moderate income tenants lack air conditioning, with affordability as the root cause. Out of all respondents, 54 per cent said extreme heat was their top housing issue.

“I asked (my landlord) to replace the AC in my unit because it’s too old, but they wouldn’t replace it. Because it’s so inefficient, it has to be kept running all the time and I end up paying a much higher hydro bill,” an Ottawa ACORN member said in a press release. “They should change the AC unit but they won’t and it’s extremely hot with repeated heat waves.”

Ottawa ACORN member Hassan Youssouf told the Ottawa Lookout that negative health effects – particularly for seniors or those with disabilities – were also a concern. Not everyone is mobile enough to visit a mall or other air-conditioned space to cool down, he said.

“The climate crisis is here and we see heat waves every summer. That is a big issue for neighbours who want to stay in their apartments and they cannot sleep at night because it's too hot. Some people work at night and have to sleep during the day. It causes a lot of health issues,” said Youssouf. “We need all levels of government to work together so that the responsibility falls on the landlords and not the tenants.”

What are other provinces and cities doing? 

Across Canada no province forces all landlords to provide air conditioning. British Columbia mandates that any ventilation or cooling systems must be maintained and in good working order. The 2024 BC Building Code requires that all newly constructed homes have at least one living space that is designed not to exceed 26 C under summer design conditions. Vancouver also approved a bylaw that new residential buildings over three storeys must have active mechanical cooling capable of keeping the interior at or below 26 C when the windows are closed.   

Quebec has laws that require rental units to be in a safe and habitable condition. Prince Edward Island requires properties to meet a “minimum standard of fitness for habitation.” 

In the United States, some areas, especially those that face dangerous heat temperatures, have maximum heat requirements. Phoenix, Arizona has laws which require rental units to be below 82 F in the daytime and 86 F at night. In Texas, public housing authorities must provide cooling. Air conditioning is also required in Las Vegas, Nevada where landlords are required to provide “habitable conditions.”

Some other parts of the world like France, Spain and Italy are also setting maximum indoor temperature standards after recent heat waves. And in the United Arab Emirates like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, air conditioning is considered an essential, basic service. 

McKenney said she hopes it will one day become the law in Ontario that it’s up to the landlords to provide air conditioning in some form. 

“If you own a building or an apartment, you have to provide heat. You cannot allow it to go below 20 C,” noted McKenney. “So why is it any different for maximum temperature? You can always put one of those floor units in for example. They used to be much more expensive, but they've come down in price now.”

THE OTTAWA NUMBER

494

That’s how many BlueLine Taxi drivers could be on the picket line after walking off the job on Friday. BlueLine wants a 20 per cent increase in taxi stand fees. Services provided by Capital Taxi, Westway Taxi, and taxis contracted through ParaTranspo are not affected. Read more. [CBC]

THE AGENDA

🚲 The Bank Street Active Transportation and Transit Priority Feasibility Study is underway. Give your feedback. [City of Ottawa]

👩‍⚕️ A new nurse practitioner clinic opened in Vanier, filling a gap for Vanier and Overbrook residents without a primary care provider. Read more. [CTV]

🏠 New home sales are up 30 per cent in August compared to last year, according to the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association. Read more. [OBJ]

✈️ Air Canada will offer daily direct flights between Ottawa and Fredericton and Ottawa and Moncton, just in time for the holidays. Read more. [CTV]

👮 Two people were arrested for mischief at a Saturday morning protest on Parliament Hill. Read more. [Ottawa Citizen]

🏃‍♀️ The City of Ottawa is considering renaming Kimmins Court Park in Kanata after fundraiser and athlete Sindy Hooper, who died in 2024 from pancreatic cancer. Hooper raised more than half a million dollars for cancer research and inspired people to get active. Read more. [CTV]

🪖 A US Air Force radar plane spotted flying over Ottawa last week was part of a joint training mission with a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot. Read more. [CTV]

🚔 Former lawyer James Bowie, found guilty last month of criminal harassment, uttering threats, and extortion, was denied bail pending appeal by a judge earlier this month, according to a court decision published last week. Read more. [Ottawa Citizen]

🗳️ Municipal elections are underway in Gatineau. Read more. [CBC]

EVENTS

Cinq à sept: A ByWard Concert Series | 55 ByWard Market Square, Ottawa | Sept. 25 | Free outdoor concerts every Thursday at ByWard clocktower | Free

Mini Market: Fall Edition | Ottawa Art Gallery, 50 Mackenzie King, Level 1 | Sept. 27, 12–5 pm | Local makers and artists showcase handmade goods at this free indoor art market | Free

New Edinburgh Artist's Studio Tour | Various locations in New Edinburgh | Sept. 27–28, 10 am–4 pm | Self-guided tour of local artists’ studios and creative spaces | Free

Chelsea-Wakefield Studio Tour | Various studios, Chelsea–Wakefield, QC | Sept. 27–28; Oct. 4–5, 10 am–5 pm | Explore local artist studios featuring painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, and more | Free

Be Bold – Art Exhibition | CARDELREC Rec Centre, 1500 Shea Road, Stittsville | Sept. 27–Nov. 8, 7 am–8 pm | Step into a world of imagination, colour, and daring creativity | Free

OKTOBERFEST – Tavern on the Falls | Tavern on the Falls, 1 John St, Ottawa | Sept. 27, 11 am | German bier, traditional food, and a seven-piece polka band at this scenic outdoor event | Tickets $8

Ottawa Valley Live Steamers and Model Engineers | Cumberland Heritage Village Museum, 2940 Old Montreal Rd. | Sept. 28, 11 am–3 pm | Interactive model train demos for all ages, weather permitting | Tickets

Ottawa Architecture Week | Various locations, Ottawa | Sept. 29–Oct. 3 | Explore design, architecture, and imagination in this city-wide festival | Free

Fall Farm Fest in Blackburn Hamlet | Just Food Community Farm, 2391 Pepin Court, Ottawa | Sept. 28, 11 am–3 pm | Free event with farm tours, workshops, live music and local food vendors | Free

Pumpkinferno | Upper Canada Village – 13740 County Road 2, Morrisburg | Oct. 1–5 | 9,000 hand-carved pumpkins light up a magical Halloween experience | Tickets

Mac My Cheese Fest 2025 | 255 Centrum Blvd., Orléans | Oct. 3–5, 3 pm–5 pm | Canada’s cheesiest fest returns with mac, music, and cheesy comfort food | Free

Square Lemon October Craft Market | The Glebe Community Centre | Oct. 4th 10:30am | Over 50 local makers | Free

Can*Con: Ottawa’s Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Literature Convention | Brookstreet Hotel, 525 Legget Drive | Oct. 17–19 | Expert talks, workshops, networking, and guest authors in sci-fi and fantasy | Tickets $95

Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 | St. Joseph’s Parish, 174 Wilbrod St | Nov 9, 4:00  pm | Experience Monteverdi’s iconic masterpiece performed by Ottawa’s finest young voices | Tickets $30

The Golden Glow: Lost As Where We Are | NAC Fourth Stage, 1 Elgin Street | November 13, 8 pm | Join Ottawa songwriters Shawn Tavenier and Eric Vieweg for a night of music and stories as they debut their project The Golden Glow | Tickets $35

NEW JOBS

Discover your new dream job in Ottawa:

• Director, partnerships at Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology

• Manager, strategy and governance at Nutritional International 

• Director, awards office at Carleton University

• Criminal intelligence analyst at the City of Ottawa

• Partnerships development director at Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Change is coming to Pinecrest-Queensview

A new Secondary Plan for the community will allow large development to occur in areas where big-box stores are currently situated

Read the story

OTTAWA QUIZ

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• A honey shop just opened in the ByWard Market. [CTV]

• Watch the trailer for “Magic on Set”, a short film romcom/commercial for Ottawa, [YouTube]

• As of publication, there were still free tickets available for the NAC’s “Symphony in Your Neighbourhood” at the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre on Wednesday. [NAC]

• Looking for a veterinarian who does house calls? Redditors are compiling a list. [Reddit]

• Cleaning out your closet? UOttawa runs a free store for students. [UOttawa]

• Want to have your announcement featured? Learn how here.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

The Patchwork Quilt Walk took place in Stittsville over the weekend