Toronto's Free Portable ACs for Vulnerable Residents

0:00Toronto's rolling out free portable air conditioners for a second straight summer targeting low-income residents in multi-unit buildings. Eligible folks include those 65 and older with health needs, pregnant people, and new parents with infants. They're aiming to hand out at least a thousand units through a random draw. Applications kick off this Tuesday and wrap up on April 21st with winners hearing back in May. Last year in 2025, the pilot program delivered about 500 units to seniors, and now it's doubling down with one million. Dollars from the 2026 budget covering delivery and setup. Mayor Olivia Chow is hyped, saying the program success last year means more help amid brutal heatwaves that hit hard. Those extreme temps from climate change are putting vulnerable residents at risk, especially in buildings without central AC. The city points to rising heat events as the big driver, stressing how indoor heat traps the most at-risk folks, expanding to new groups shows they're listening to the streets on this. They're also taking donations until May 23rd

1:04to score extra units this season, keeping the cool flowing for those who need it. That's the story for today. Canada News Today, Driven by AI