City extends heat warning to continue until at least Friday

The City of Hamilton has announced an "extended heat warning" that will continue until at least Friday.

The heat could last until Saturday as well, the city said in a news release Wednesday morning. The heat warning was also issued by Environment Canada. 

"Dangerously hot and humid conditions are expected," Environment Canada said. "There will be little relief through overnight." 

During the day, temperatures are expected to reach 30 to 35 C with humidex values of 40 to 45 C. Overnight lows are expected to be 20 to 23 C with humidex values of 25 to 30 C. 

"Temperatures and humidex values may be several degrees cooler near the shores of the Great Lakes," Environment Canada said.

The city is offering designated spaces, including some libraries and community centres, for residents to cool down while the warning is in place. Keep an eye out for a "Cool down here" sign at the entrance.

The city said regularly scheduled open swims at its indoor pools will be free of charge.

"Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, weakness, cold, pale and clammy skin, weak pulse, fainting and vomiting," the city said. "If experiencing symptoms, seek help right away – call 911 if needed."

Residents can reduce their risk of a heat-related illness by drinking lots of water, staying in an air-conditioned place, wearing a hat or taking an umbrella when out in the sun, wearing loose fitting, light-coloured clothing and wearing sunscreen, the city said. 

Residents are asked to check on neighbours and family and reminded to never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles, said the city. 

"Temperatures in a car can become life threatening within minutes." 

WATCH | Hamilton councillor makes the case for a maximum temperature for rental units in the city  

Hamilton city councillor calls for maximum heat bylaw for property owners

5 months ago

Duration 5:56

Hamilton city councillor Cameron Kroetsch is pushing for a maximum heat bylaw for property owners which would require rental units in the city not exceed a maximum temperature. Kroetsch thinks the bylaw change could be approved next year.

Public school board says it can't afford AC for all classes

The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) said, in an emailed response to questions from CBC Hamilton, that during heat warnings "principals will monitor indoor temperatures in degrees Celsius with Humidex in all classrooms and learning spaces without cooling, as measured by a board-provided device in each learning space."

The HWDSB said that if temperatures collected indoors are higher than 45 C with humidity, the "principal will close the classroom to learning and move the class to another learning space" and the director of education may decide to cancel in-person learning at the school.

The HWDSB says 41 of its 94 schools are completely air conditioned, however "full-building air conditioning at all schools is not financially possible."

Jeff Sorensen, Hamilton-Wentworth Elementary Teachers' Local union president, said "the current and faulty education funding formula makes it unlikely that these buildings will be retro-fitted or replaced. Students in heat distress are not only unsafe but are prevented from learning as well as they might." 

He says they have approached the board to conduct a joint study "relating classroom temperatures, accessibility to air conditioning, and EQAO scores since formal testing began."