This week, Councillors Caradonna, Dell, and I will bring a motion that would be the first step toward requiring landlords to allow and/or provide cooling in Victoria’s rental buildings.
In 2021, a heat dome killed 18 people in Greater Victoria. Most were older adults who died in their apartments; indoor temperatures in some units climbed past 35°C.
That shouldn’t happen again.
We already require landlords to heat their units in winter. There’s no equivalent protection for summer.
Our motion asks staff to look at what tools the City has to restrict landlords from blocking cooling equipment, or to require heat pumps or other passive cooling measures. It also asks them to talk with New Westminster about how their bylaw works, and to write to the Province to confirm that these upgrades wouldn’t trigger renovictions or rent increases above the standard control level.
We’re asking for a report back to Council by July 2.
With climate change, heat waves are getting more frequent and more intense. Protecting renters — particularly seniors, people with chronic illness, and low-income households — is something the City can and should act on.
The full motion is item J1 at this link.