EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill enacts several measures related to the public awareness of extreme heat.

The Bill proclaims the first week in June in each year as Extreme Heat Awareness Week. It also requires the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks to publish information on a Government website about extreme heat issues.

Finally, the Bill requires information on extreme heat issues to be sent to taxpayers along with their municipal tax bill. The Minister is required to mail that information to households in territories without municipal organization.

Bill 205 2024

An Act to proclaim Extreme Heat Awareness Week and to promote public awareness of extreme heat issues

Preamble

The Government of Ontario does not currently provide sufficient education on the effects of extreme heat and growing temperatures. A comprehensive and far-reaching educational campaign, including digital and physical resources, would help educate Ontarians to prevent adverse health effects caused by extreme heat events.

Insurance claims from severe weather have more than quadrupled over the past 15 years. The number of these incidents will continue to increase as the climate becomes more unstable, leading to more natural disasters.

Creating a residential extreme heat risk awareness program and declaring the first week in June as Extreme Heat Awareness Week will increase knowledge and understanding, which will be especially relevant for those in areas subject to extreme heat.

Therefore, His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Extreme Heat Awareness Week

1 The first week in June in each year is proclaimed as Extreme Heat Awareness Week.

Extreme heat awareness website

2 The Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks shall publish the following information on a Government of Ontario website:

   1.  Information on what Ontarians can do to prepare for the possibility of extreme heat weather events.

   2.  Information on preventative measures that can be taken to help prevent or mitigate heat-related health concerns.

   3.  A guide to publicly-available resources in regards to extreme heat risks in Ontario, including health risks.

   4.  Answers to frequently asked questions about extreme heat in Ontario.

Mailout in territories without municipal organization

3 The Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks shall ensure that the information described in section 2 is mailed to every household in a territory without municipal organization before the end of each year.

City of Toronto Act, 2006

4 Section 308 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 is amended by adding the following subsection:

Extreme heat information must be included

(2.1)  The city treasurer must send materials containing the information described in section 2 of the Turn Down the Heat Act (Extreme Heat Awareness), 2024 along with any tax bill they send to taxpayers.

Municipal Act, 2001

5 Section 343 of the Municipal Act, 2001 is amended by adding the following subsection:

Extreme heat information must be included

(2.1)  The treasurer must send materials containing the information described in section 2 of the Turn Down the Heat Act (Extreme Heat Awareness), 2024 along with any tax bill they send to taxpayers.

Commencement

6 (1)  Except as otherwise provided in this section, this Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

(2)  Sections 2 to 5 come into force on the day that is three months after the day this Act receives Royal Assent.

Short title

7 The short title of this Act is the Turn Down the Heat Act (Extreme Heat Awareness), 2024.