In the midst of July, various regions in the country have been experiencing multiple heat waves. On Tuesday, there were heat alerts in parts of northern and southern Ontario, Quebec, and even the Northwest Territories. Downtown Toronto recorded a scorching temperature of 36 C, making it the hottest spot in the nation based on initial data from Environment and Climate Change Canada. Although temperatures are not anticipated to reach that peak again, the heat is predicted to persist until Thursday.
Determining if there have been any fatalities is challenging due to the absence of a centralized coroner’s organization in Canada and a consistent method for reporting heat-related deaths nationwide. Jacqueline Wilson, a counsel at the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA), highlighted the issue of varying reporting systems across provinces and territories, leading to inconsistencies in data collection.
The lack of uniformity in reporting becomes evident in cases where a person with an underlying health condition, like heart disease, passes away during a night of high temperatures. It raises questions about attributing the cause of death to either the existing health condition or a heat-related illness, with coroners in different regions potentially reporting differently.
Climate scientist Andrew Dessler from the Texas Center for Extreme Weather at Texas A&M University explained the different methodologies used to tally heat-related deaths, including death certificate numbers, excess deaths calculated by academics, and regression methods correlating temperature and mortality rates. This discrepancy in reporting methods can be perplexing for individuals trying to comprehend the impact of extreme temperatures.
Some studies assess excessive heat deaths by comparing the number of deaths during a specific period to the average deaths in that period. With climate change exacerbating extreme weather events, heat waves are projected to become more frequent and prolonged across Canada as fossil fuel consumption continues to contribute to global warming.
Efforts to address heat-related deaths are outlined in the federal government’s National Adaptation Strategy, aiming to eradicate deaths from extreme heat waves by 2040. However, the challenge lies in the absence of accurate data. Health Canada’s 2025 study on heat-related morbidity and mortality in Canada indicated an increase in heat-related deaths over the past decade, but highlighted limitations in data collection, particularly in Quebec.
Following the devastating 2021 heat dome event in British Columbia, significant changes were implemented in the province, including providing air conditioners to those in need, increased funding for senior care facilities during extreme heat, and the establishment of a standardized heat alert system. The proactive response showcased the impact of improved reporting in driving policy changes.
The global scope of the issue was exemplified in Europe’s recent deadly heat wave, with thousands of excess heat-related deaths reported in countries like Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The varying numbers underscore the necessity for standardized measurements globally to accurately track and address heat-related fatalities amid escalating climate change impacts.