Environment and Climate Change Canada has extended the Heat Warning for Toronto to Monday, June 22.
Environment and Climate Change Canada issues a Heat Warning when it forecasts two or more consecutive days with daytime maximum temperatures of 31°C or warmer, together with minimum nighttime temperatures of 20°C or warmer, or when there is a forecast of two or more consecutive days with humidex values expected to reach 40 or higher.
Extreme heat is associated with negative health impacts ranging from heat stress to heat stroke and death. During periods of hot weather, the safety of all residents is the priority.
On Monday, June 22, the City of Toronto will keep open 15 Emergency Cooling Centres (ECCs) for the extended Heat Warning. A new location at the Parkdale Library, 1303 Queen St W., is among the ECCs to remain open. All ECCs will open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Metro Hall, 55 John St., which continues to run 24 hours during the Heat Warning.
An interactive map is available to help those who need to locate an ECC near them.
The ECCs offer a publicly accessible, air-conditioned place for residents to rest indoors and receive a cool drink. Staff who are trained to assist residents affected by the extreme heat will be on hand. Strict infection prevention and control measures will be in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The ECCs are available to residents if they do not have access to a cool space and cannot keep cool in their home or outdoors.
Tips to protect yourself from the heat are available at toronto.ca/keepcool. When a Heat Warning is declared, those who need assistance or have heat-related inquiries can call 311.
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, people who are at higher risk for COVID-19 (e.g., persons who are more than 70 years of age), or who are required to self-isolate due to COVID-19 (e.g., symptoms, high risk exposure), may visit an ECC, if necessary, to beat the heat while taking the following precautions:
When arriving at an ECC, inform a staff member prior to entering of your COVID-19 or self-isolation status during the screening process.
ECC staff will screen all visitors and accommodate those who are required to self-isolate in an alternate space separate from the main ECC area.
The Environment and Climate Change Canada Heat Warning statement for Toronto is available at weather.gc.ca/warnings/index_e.html.
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