The B.C. government will furnish air-conditioning-system investment incentives for long-term care providers to guard against extreme heat.

The province will also triple its investment in the provision of free portable air-conditioners people who qualify. The moves come as the government prepares to guard against heat-related illnesses that have killed hundreds of British Columbians in recent summers and wildfires that have destroyed numerous properties.

B.C. and federal government meteorologists are anticipating higher-than-average temperatures and minimal rainfall across the province again this summer.

Health Minister Adrian announced that the province is providing $6 million to extend the BC Care Providers Association’s EquipCare BC program designed to improve LTC facilities and assisted-living centres. The investment is intended to enhance the facilities’ living environments through the installation of infection-control systems, air and water-quality temperature-control equipment, such as air-conditioning, blinds and electrical upgrades necessary to protect seniors from the impacts of recurring extreme heat and poor air quality due to wildfires.

“By enhancing safety measures we can significantly reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses and hospitalizations, ensuring our elderly loved ones remain healthy and comfortable,” said Dix during a recent news conference at the B.C. cabinet office in Vancouver.

The province is also requiring all public and private LTC operators to install modern heating, ventilation and air-conditioning and temperature-control systems in new and existing facilities. The government, through BC Housing, is also providing non-profit housing operators with funds to protect their buildings and residents against extreme heat, Dix noted.

The funding will help non-profit housing operators purchase cooling supplies. BC Housing has also purchased emergency cooling and clean-air items, including 1,530 portable air-conditioning units, 2,500 portable fans and 2,500 cooling kits, which will be distributed to non-profit housing operators, said Dix.

“The Residential Tenancy Branch has updated their air-conditioning policy to make it clear that landlords cannot ban air-conditioning units in rental agreements without a rational basis, such as a safety concern,” said Dix. “We are strongly encouraging strata, corporations and landlords to work together with their tenants to ensure air-conditioning units are safely installed to keep people cool and safe.”

Josie Osborne, minister of energy, mines and low carbon innovation, said the government’s tripling of its free air-conditioner program boosts the province’s investment by $20 million, to $30 million from $10 million provided last summer. The free air-conditioners are being provided through BC Hydro in accordance with income thresholds.

“With this additional funding, BC Hydro estimates that approximately 19,000 new air- conditioning units will be installed for people who rely on them to keep them both cool and safe,” said Osborne.

The program will provide about 28,000 free air-conditioners overall to people across the province so they they are prepared for hot weather, she added. In partnership with the federal government, the province is also providing rebates for eligible families, seniors and individuals on purchases of heat pumps. Contrary to their name, heat pumps also act as air-conditioners, she noted.

As it did in 2023, the B.C. government is also offering $50 rebates to all British Columbians on purchases of eligible portable air-conditioners in partnership with major retailers, said Osborne. That program began May 1 and will run until August 23.

“We have to deal with climate change,” said Dix. “And, we have to prepare, given the world we’re living in today, for summers like we’ve had in recent years and the summer that we expect to have this year.”

As a result of changes to the B.C. Building Code, new homes across the province, including multi-family properties, must now have at least one room that is designed not to exceed 26 degrees Celsius.

Pictured: Dogwood Care Home in Vancouver, which opened in 2023.

Rendering: Vancouver Coastal Health