Plan for Toronto’s ‘climate threat’ leaves residents at risk

As Toronto continues to grapple with extreme weather, a slate of proposals meant to address what the city calls its “most urgent climate threat” — extreme heat — delays long-anticipated measures by years and leaves vulnerable residents at risk, critics say.

After a severe heat wave last June exposed what Mayor Olivia Chow called ” serious gaps ” in the city’s heat relief strategy, council directed staff to report back with improvements. That request came amid ongoing efforts , endorsed by council, to create a maximum indoor temperature bylaw that would enforce safe living conditions for renters.

On Tuesday, city staff released a package of updates to those plans that critics called “disappointing.” While the reports touch on everything from drinking-water trailers to air-conditioning