As the weather gets warmer and festival and event season arrives, Toronto Public Health (TPH) is sharing advice to help residents and visitors keep cool and stay safe throughout the summer season.
Extreme heat poses significant health risks to people of any age including heat stress, heat stroke and even death. Vulnerable populations such as infants and young children, older adults, those with certain health conditions, people who work or spend a lot of time outdoors and people experiencing homelessness are at increased risk.
Heat-related illness is preventable. Tips for staying safe during hot weather include:
More information and tips for preventing heat-related illness can also be found on the City’s Keep Cool website.
Finding a Cool Space
To help ensure the safety and well-being of the public during the hot weather season, the City of Toronto activates its Heat Relief Strategy from May 15 to September 30 each year.
As part of the strategy, the Heat Relief Network provides access to more than 500 Cool Spaces across the city including libraries, community centres and pools so people can seek relief from the heat. An interactive map of Cool Spaces is available on the City’s Cool Spaces website.
The following opening dates for pools, wading pools and splash pads will provide residents with more options for staying cool during hot weather:
Air conditioners for low-income seniors
This summer, the City has a pilot program to provide 500 free portable air conditioners to low-income seniors living in multi-unit residential buildings (three or more storeys) with health-related cooling needs.
The program is open to residents after 65 years of age or older as of December 31, 2025, who belong to a low-income household as determined by the Statistics Canada Low-Income Measurement and who do not currently have access to an air conditioning unit or in-suite cooling.
Applications for the Air Conditioning (A/C) Assistance program opened on Monday, May 26 and close on Friday, June 6.
More information, including eligibility criteria, is on the City’s website.
About Heat Warnings
Environment & Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issues Heat Warnings when there is a forecast of:
Events lasting for three consecutive days or more are classified as Extended Heat Warnings.
Stay up to date on heat and extended heat warnings by visiting the ECCC website.
Health risks of climate change
Like many cities around the world, Toronto is experiencing more frequent heat events and extended heat waves outside of seasonal norms. As the climate continues to change, the risks of heat-related health impacts are expected to increase.
The City’s Heat Relief Strategy is a protocol for hot weather response that aims to reduce the incidence of heat-related illness and death due to extreme heat. More information is on the City’s website.
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