Toronto renters could get heat relief — max temperature bylaw fast-tracked

Toronto City Council has fast-tracked a maximum temperature bylaw after years of delays, moving the implementation deadline from 2028 to June 2027.

The bylaw would require all rental units in the city to stay below 26°C, including buildings that currently lack air conditioning. Toronto already requires landlords to maintain a minimum of 21°C in winter and ensures air-conditioned units don't drop below 26°C between June 1 and September 30. The new rule would extend that ceiling to every apartment regardless of cooling infrastructure.

Councillor Josh Matlow has been pushing the measure since 2012, facing repeated delays from city staff. Earlier this month, the city released a framework proposing another 2.5-year timeline, which Matlow publicly criticized as unacceptable. Working with Mayor Olivia Chow's office, Matlow's team moved to expedite the process.

"What tenants haven't had until now is a feeling like City Hall has had their back," Matlow said. "There are far too many rental buildings in Toronto that are without air conditioning and we're seeing more and more that tenants are left in conditions that are unhealthy and unsafe."

The City Manager will now deliver the final bylaw to Council by June 2027, with an implementation plan. The change reflects growing concern about heat-related health risks for vulnerable residents, particularly seniors in older buildings without modern cooling systems.