British Columbia offers 19,000 air conditioners to the most vulnerable

The British Columbia government is investing double last year’s amount in a program that provides free air conditioners to vulnerable low-income people, as forecasters expect warmer-than-normal temperatures in June in Province.

Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation Minister Josie Osborne told a news conference that the program, launched last year and managed by BC Hydrohad already installed 6,000 air conditioners out of the 8,000 announced in 2023.

This year, the government will finance 19,000 more. This funding therefore increases from 10 million dollars in 2023 to 20 million this year.

There is still work to be done, and we face another hot, dry summer. We don’t want anyone to be left behindshe said.

Warm weather on the horizon

The announcement came as Environment and Climate Change Canada forecasts a cooler-than-normal first week of June across most of British Columbia, but the rest of the month is expected to see above-normal temperatures in the entire province.

Forecasts from June to August indicate a high probability of above-normal temperatures in the interior of the province and a moderate probability temperatures close to normal on the coast.

The June forecast indicates a chance of below normal precipitation across the entire interior of British Columbia during the month.

Better collaboration

At the press conference, Health Minister Adrian Dix said that the Residential Tenancies Directorate (BC Residential Tenancy Branch) had updated its air conditioning policy.

Now Landlords Can’t Ban Air Conditioning Units in Rental Agreements without good reason, for example for security reasons.

We strongly encourage condos, real estate companies and landlords to work with their tenants to ensure air conditioners are installed safely so people stay cool and safesaid Adrian Dix.

The most recent update to British Columbia’s building code also requires all new homes to have a space designed not to exceed 26°C.

Identify people at risk

Bonnie Henry, British Columbia’s chief medical health officer, says people should prepare for the heat by identifying family members who are at higher risk and knowing where they can go to cool off.

At the start of the season, we haven’t yet had time to acclimatize to the heat, so we are more likely to suffer its effects on our health when it arrives she said.

Bonnie Henry added that the elderly, young people, people with chronic illnesses and pregnant women are particularly at risk.

We want all locals and visitors to be able to enjoy the summer, spend time outdoors, with family and friends, and enjoy all that we have to offershe added.

But we have to do it safely and the time to prepare is now.

With information from The Canadian Press