Activists demand free ‘AC for All’ as heat wave hits Ontario

Housing advocates are urging Ontario to follow British Columbia’s lead and provide free air conditioning units to residents as yet another heat wave grips the province.

Activist group ACORN is holding a demonstration in Mississauga on Wednesday as part of its Canada-wide “AC for All” campaign, and calls for maximum heat bylaws and a fund to provide free, energy-efficient air conditioners to low- and moderate-income renters.

“While wealthy politicians relax in their fully air-conditioned houses, working class tenants are told to suffer in the heat,” ACORN says.

Much of Ontario spent Monday under warnings, spanning areas from Kenora and Thunder Bay to Fort Hope and Timmins, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. Yellow heat warnings remain in effect for southern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area with humidex values of 38 C to 45 C expected on Wednesday.

In B.C., the province and BC Hydro have handed out some 8,000 free AC units to low income and heat vulnerable tenants. But in Ontario, ACORN says corporate landlords “have the green light to price-gouge tenants for trying to stay cool in a heatwave if utilities are included in their rent.”

READ MORE: Free air conditioners available to some Toronto residents

“For the second year in a row, ACORN is joining people across Canada and the world with this important day of action to protect people’s lives,” ACORN Canada President Alejandra Ruiz Vargas said in a release. “All levels of government need to take action to mitigate against the health impacts of extreme heat that is resulting from their inaction on carbon reduction.”

ACORN members and supporters will gather at Mississauga MPP Rudy Cuzzetto’s office at 120 Lakeshore Blvd. W. at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday to demand:

• Free AC units: Fund a province-wide program to provide free, energy-efficient air conditioners to low- and moderate-income renters.
• Stop the price gouging: Ban landlords from charging extra fees for air conditioning to tenants who have utilities included in their rent.
• Expand energy support: Immediately expand the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) to fully cover any extra AC surcharges forced onto tenants.
• Increase summer relief: Increase the OESP hydro credit during the summer months to account for higher rates while running AC for tenants who pay for their own hydro.

In ACORN’s 2026 Toronto “State of Repair” survey, the group found over 60 per cent of members had apartments that were too hot last summer, compared to 31.5 three years ago. A record-breaking heat dome caused 619 heat-related deaths in 2021, and 65 per cent of tenants surveyed by ACORN BC have experienced extreme heat in their apartments during summer.

ACORN members are urging governments to set a maximum temperature of 26 C, and making temperature guidelines a legal responsibility for landlords.

Toronto has its own Air Conditioner Assistance Program, which provides approximately 1,000 free portable air conditioners to eligible low-income residents living in multi-unit residential buildings.