Hamilton’s quasi-independent Board of Health will track heat-related illnesses this summer to better understand how summer heat waves affect Hamiltonians, with particular focus on effects among racialized and equity-deserving populations.

The tracking initiative comes as City Council considers implementing a residential maximum heat bylaw. The property standards bylaw already requires landlords to maintain existing central air systems in good repair. Some members of City Council are advocating to require landlords to install and cover the cost of cooling systems for tenants. A staff report is scheduled to be deliberated before October’s municipal election.

Beginning May 4, the City’s heat warning information webpage will be updated weekly with statistical data on the first business day of the week, and daily during extended heat warnings.1


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Published: April 24, 2026
Last updated: April 24, 2026
Author: Joey Coleman

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  1. An Extended Heat Warning is issued following “three or more consecutive days observed with daytime highs greater than or equal to 31°C and nighttime lows greater than or equal to 20°C or three or more consecutive days with a Humidex of 40°C or greater.” ↩︎

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