HALIFAX — As temperatures in Nova Scotia reached alarming highs in July, Sandra Walsh found herself gasping for air in her apartment. The 46-year-old, who is on social assistance and has a progressive lung disease, has repeatedly requested a government-funded air conditioner but has received no help. "With the high humidity, it affects my breathing and I have to gasp for air," she said. "Even taking frequent, cold showers isn't really helping."

Walsh, a resident of New Glasgow, is one of many low-income Canadians facing challenges in securing government assistance to stay cool during extreme heat. She wants to purchase a $300 air conditioner but fears it would leave her with insufficient funds for food and medications. Despite asking her income assistance caseworker for help over the past two months, she has been denied. This struggle highlights what advocates are calling the "right to cooling," a growing concern across the country.

Renters' groups argue that air conditioning units are essential for preventing illness and even death during heat waves. Some experts are advocating for broader solutions, such as public cooling centers. Last year, another New Glasgow resident, Julie Leggett, successfully appealed for the province to cover her air conditioner costs due to her chronic pain condition. However, this ruling only applies to her.

The Nova Scotia Department of Social Development has stated that its policy of not funding air conditioners for low-income individuals with health issues remains unchanged. A department spokeswoman noted that caseworkers may refer individuals to local charities for assistance in extreme heat situations.

In Ottawa, 75-year-old Marie Lourdes Garnier echoed similar sentiments, stating that provincial governments should assist low-income renters in acquiring air conditioning units. During a recent heat wave, she felt faint despite trying to cool herself with water. A spokesperson for the Ontario government mentioned that individuals on income assistance can apply for air conditioning through municipal or First Nations programs. Additionally, people with disabilities may apply through the Ontario Disabilities Support Program. However, Garnier, who lives on a small pension, does not qualify for these programs. "It's very, very expensive for me ... I'm not talking about needing an AC unit for comfort. It's a matter of life and death," she said.

An advocacy group for low-income renters, ACORN, found that only a small percentage of its members received public funds for air conditioning or heat pumps. A survey of 737 respondents revealed that many experienced poor sleep, fatigue, and headaches due to excessive indoor heat.

In Moncton, N.B., Peter Jongeneelen, vice chair of ACORN New Brunswick, shared his experience of being admitted to the emergency room for heat exhaustion during a recent heat wave. He emphasized the need for support for those on disability pensions, stating, "there's no real programs out there in New Brunswick. It's something we would like to change."

The number of heat-related emergency room visits is on the rise. Health Canada reported an increase from about 600 cases in 2004 to approximately 1,100 in 2023. In British Columbia, a severe heat dome in 2021 resulted in 600 deaths, prompting the province to allocate $30 million in 2023 for a free air conditioner program through BC Hydro. Since then, around 27,500 free AC units have been installed. However, challenges remain, as some landlords claim their buildings cannot support air conditioning.

Liv Yoon, a researcher at the University of British Columbia and co-author of a report titled "A Right to Cool," advocates for public cooling centers and accessible public transit to reach them. The report also suggests creating affordable housing with passive shade systems to mitigate indoor heat.

While air conditioning may be necessary for some low-income renters, urban planner Alex Boston noted that other solutions exist. He suggested that indoor temperatures can be reduced using window shades and fans, which can lower temperatures by as much as 10 degrees Celsius. In New Glasgow, Walsh acknowledged that while shades and fans might help, a lack of assistance could lead to severe health consequences. "A refusal of assistance would mean I would suffer and not be able to breathe with the extreme heat, which can lead to death," she said.