Letter to council: Heat preparedness motion

This week, council is considering a motion titled "Proactively Protecting Residents from Dangerous Heat" — a practical, life-saving package of measures focused on protecting those most at risk: seniors, people with disabilities, and other heat-vulnerable residents.

WTC's Manager of Civic Engagement & Advocacy, Clara Prager, sent the following letter urging Mayor and Council to pass the motion unanimously.

---

Dear Mayor & Council,

This council has taken many positive steps toward heat preparedness, such as unanimously approving motions to expand tree canopy, advocate for climate-resilient housing standards, and ensure tenants aren’t prevented from installing air conditioning units.

We applaud these decisions and urge you to continue on this trajectory by supporting the motion “Proactively Protecting Residents from Dangerous Heat.” Unanimously passing this motion will demonstrate that you understand the urgency of protecting Vancouver residents from heat when it matters most.

The timing of the motion could not be more critical: five years after the deadly 2021 heat dome, BC is bracing for more record-breaking heat. The good news is that we have time to prepare.

The motion identifies several practical steps within the city’s jurisdiction to keep residents safe, especially seniors and people with disabilities, who are particularly vulnerable to high temperatures. Acting urgently on these steps will save lives this summer.

We urge you to support the motion to solidify your track record as a council that takes heat preparedness seriously.

Thank you,

Clara Prager

Manager of Civic Engagement & Advocacy

Women Transforming Cities (WTC)