Brampton City Council called an emergency meeting Friday to amend the city’s Adequate Heat Bylaw in the wake of unseasonably warm temperatures.

The amendment halted section 2 (a) of the Adequate Heat Bylaw (240-92) which dictates that “suitable heat be provided by a landlord in rental accommodations in colder months between September 15 and June 1 to a minimum of 20 degrees Celsius.”

Under the by-law, there is no requirement of landlords to keep air conditioning on or turn it off by a certain date. A number of municipalities across Southern Ontario have been facing challenges with this given recent unseasonably warm temperatures.

By amending this by-law, the city hopes to offer flexibility to landlords looking to regulate heat in their buildings, especially during extreme weather, and city council is pleading with landlords to use their best judgement, especially given the current situation.

“The safety of Brampton residents is of paramount importance to Council and City of Brampton staff. Such unseasonably high temperatures pose a serious risk to our most vulnerable, particularly seniors and young children. We urge residential landlords to shut off the heat in all buildings and, if available, turn on air conditioning units,” says Councillor Gael Miles, Ward 7 & 8.

The city will continue to offer heat relief locations across the city at all recreation centres and library branches. All heat relief locations will have air conditioning and water fountains.

The city has also extended hours on spray pads across the city beyond its regular Labour Day schedule.Visit www.brampton.ca for more details.

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