Council is going ahead with a plan to fund 200 air conditioners for Hamilton residents in need.
The program is an expansion on the city’s existing initiative, which funds 50 units every summer. The $52,000 cost, which comes from the city’s $2.5 million Climate Change Reserve, was passed 12-3.
Ward 8 Councillor John-Paul Danko said he voted against the motion because of the small scale of the program and because air conditioners contribute to climate change.
But Ward 14 Coun. Alex Wilson said the expanded program is a temporary solution for what will likely be a record hot summer.
“When extreme heat comes, and it is coming particularly this summer, we know that it’s primarily seniors and people with disabilities that bear the brunt of that impact and are oftentimes at risk of losing their lives, being stuck in an apartment that they can’t cool down,” Wilson said.
Wilson said the city will require specific criteria for those who wish to access the A/C fund, including a low income, use of Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program, and access to air conditioning.
“We definitely have low-income seniors in parts of Flamborough who could very well have the health impact that we’re talking about and need this type of support,” Wilson said.
Ward 15 Coun. Ted McMeekin, who also voted in favour of the motion, said a relatively small number of Flamborough residents will likely end up accessing the fund.
Downtown residents have less tree cover, more pavement generated heat and often live in denser residences than rural residents.
McMeekin shared concerns that the scope of the project, which he referred to as more of a pilot, is very small and, “probably not enough to make a difference.”
“It’s a maximum of $350, which is not likely to cover the cost of an air conditioner for someone who is fiscally vulnerable,” McMeekin said.
Maximum heat bylaw
While the A/C program is a temporary fix, council is still working on its proposed maximum heat bylaw.
The bylaw, when it comes into effect, will require landlords to provide residents with a maximum temperature in their homes. “Much like we have a minimum heat bylaw in our bylaw toolkit to ensure homes are habitable,” Wilson said.
“Previously in Canada we haven’t needed the upper end of the spectrum, because of just the heat we’ve been getting. But now we do,” they added.
The city currently offers tips and advice on how landlords can help keep their rental properties cool during extreme heat events, but it is not mandatory for them to follow the advice.
McMeekin said the city has put in a request to the province to enact a maximum heat bylaw, but Wilson said it will not go into effect in time for the summer.
How council voted
YES - Mayor Andrea Horwath, Ward 1 Coun. Maureen Wilson, Ward 2 Coun. Cameron Kroetsch, Ward 3 Coun. Nrinder Nann, Ward 4. Coun. Tammy Hwang, Ward 6 Coun. Tom Jackson, Ward 7 Coun. Esther Pauls, Ward 9 Coun. Brad Clark, Ward 11 Coun. Mark Tadeson, Ward 12 Coun. Craig Cassar, Ward 13 Coun. Alex Wilson and Ward 15 Coun. Ted McMeekin.
NO - Ward 5 Coun. Matt Francis, Ward 8 Coun. John-Paul Danko and Ward 14 Coun. Mike Spadafora.
