Whereas vulnerable populations, including people experiencing homelessness, many renters, those with medical conditions and those who are precariously housed, are particularly vulnerable to hot weather; and
Whereas hot weather can worsen mental health issues, aggravate preexisting conditions such as heart disease and chronic respiratory diseases, and cause a range of impacts from cramps, rashes, delirium, heat exhaustion and stroke to, in extreme cases, death; and
Whereas according to Report Number EITP-25-011 from the Environment, Infrastructure & Transportation Policies Committee, the number of very hot days (+30˚C) in Kingston is expected to increase from an average of 6 days per year to an average of 22 days per year by 2050, and the number of extremely hot days (+32˚C) is expected to increase from an average of 1.2 days per year to an average of 8.3 days per year by 2050; and
Whereas tenants living in units without air conditioning or other cooling equipment may be at higher risk of heat-related health impacts; and
Whereas Kingston’s Community Heat Response Plan must go further to mitigate the effects of hot weather;
Therefore Be It Resolved That Council direct staff to bring forward an enhanced Community Heat Response Plan to the Environment, Infrastructure ＆ Transportation Policies Committee by the end of Q1 2026 with recommendations and options including costing, and with consideration for an Inter-agency Extreme Weather Committee; and
That this enhanced plan integrates innovative heat-mitigating infrastructure, such as shade sails etc., conducive to the needs of the community including vulnerable populations, tenants and people experiencing homelessness; and
That this enhanced plan review and ensure the sufficiency and accessibility of cooling centres throughout the city; and
That this enhanced plan encourages landlords to develop hot weather plans that designates an air-conditioned common room in their building as a cooling room; and
That this enhanced plan works toward establishing a pilot outreach program where the City and its partners would support volunteers in going door-to-door in areas with vulnerable populations in partnership with City partners such as the South East Public Health Unit, Kingston Fire and Rescue, Frontenac Paramedics and potentially the Canadian Red Cross to check on residents, provide information on relevant services, and collect data to better assist the City in responding to extreme weather events; and
That City staff work with agencies and community volunteers to improve the accuracy in determining the need for water during extreme heat events and ensure that need is meet; and
That in meeting the need for water City staff work with partners and service agencies to assess the financial and operational feasibility to improve sustained and equitable access to safe drinking water in City parks, including evaluating options such as water stations, refill taps, and delivery support during extreme heat events.