That Council direct staff to amend By-Law Number 2005-100, A By-Law for Prescribing Standards for the Maintenance and Occupancy of Property Within the City of Kingston (the Property Standards By-Law) to provide for a new maximum temperature which would require landlords or property owners of residential rental units with air conditioning systems to maintain a temperature not exceeding 26 degrees Celsius (26 °C) from June 1 to September 30; and
That staff report back to Council no later than Q2 2025 with the necessary amending By-Law to provide for a new maximum temperature for residential units with air conditioning systems as part of the Property Standards By-Law; and
That Council direct staff, in partnership with South East Health Unit, to develop a heat response strategy that would provide information and strategies on how people can access supports and services during the hot weather season, and present that strategy to Council no later than Q2 2025; and
That staff be directed to report back to Council not later that Q4 2025 with information regarding the results of the City of Toronto’s research, and the legality of the municipality, in the absence of amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act, implementing a health-based maximum indoor temperature standard for leased residential premises without an existing air conditioning system; and
That City Council request that the Province of Ontario amend the Residential Tenancies Act to introduce a maximum temperature standard of 26 degrees Celsius for all residential premises and to include cooling as a vital service: and
That should the Province of Ontario amend the Residential Tenancies Act to introduce a maximum standard temperature for all residential premises, or the cities of Toronto and Hamilton successfully enact similar by-laws for all residential rental properties, staff be directed to provide a report to Council with considerations and recommended next steps to implement a health-based maximum indoor temperature standard for leased residential premises; and
That City Council request that the Province of Ontario proclaim Bill 97, Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, 2023 into force to enhance tenants’ rights to install and use window or portable air-conditioners.