A new report from The Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo is warning that extreme heat is set to cause devastating climate-related suffering in Canada that will be present for decades to come.
If left unchecked, the toll could surpass the 595 heat-related fatalities reported by British Columbia’s coroner in 2021, and 86 lives lost in Quebec in 2018.
Urban centres face the greatest risk because of the urban-heat-island effect, and some communities will be harder hit than others. The report states that preparedness should top Canada’s adaptation agenda and outlines 35 practical actions to reduce risks, which includes passive cooling that does not rely on power, expanding tree canopies and natural habitats, and watching over the most vulnerable, such as regular checks of the elderly and facilitating access to cooling shelters.
The report highlights three “red zones” in Canada that will be hardest hit by extreme heat: valleys between the West Coast and the Rocky Mountains in B.C., prairie communities bordering the U.S, and north of Lake Erie through the St. Lawrence River Valley in Ontario and Quebec.
“Warming and more intense extreme heat will be present for decades to come,” said study co-author Joanna Eyquem, managing director of Climate Resilient Infrastructure. “If an extreme-heat event coincided with an extended electricity outage — with no fans or air conditioning running — loss of life could easily jump to the thousands.”
Individuals, property owners and managers, and communities all have a role to play. Vulnerable groups such as those who live alone and those with fewer financial resources will require targeted support. Heat is also an inequality issue — marginalized or racialized communities are even more vulnerable.
“I see extreme heat in a different category than all other climate perils,” said study co-author Dr. Blair Feltmate. “Extreme heat is more than inconvenient, it’s potentially lethal. If we don’t prepare for extreme heat, those who are vulnerable may die.”
Decision-makers are urged to recognize such events as natural disasters, build heat resilience into home inspections and valuation appraisals, provide proactive information on how to reduce heat-related risks, and harness public and private climate finance.
The full report can be viewed here.
