The Government of British Columbia (BC) today announced a new partnership with BC Hydro to provide air conditioning. With an investment of $10 million, 8,000 air conditioners will be provided free of charge to seniors, the physically vulnerable, and low-income people in three years.
In the context of the programme, Health Minister Adrian Dix said extreme temperature rises due to climate change will become more frequent in the future, with vulnerable groups being most affected. Two years ago, at the end of June 2021, BC was hit by a heat dome and became extremely hot, killing 619 people.
A report from the BC coroner’s office found that 90% of those who died were over the age of 60 and more than half lived alone. And many reported having one or more chronic health conditions.
Applicants for free air conditioners will be assessed and referrals from health authorities and others will be accepted. In a related program, BC Hydro offers residential customers a rebate of $50 off the purchase of certain energy-saving air conditioners.
Chris O’Reilly, president of BC Hydro, said that air conditioning is no longer a ‘luxury’ item, citing May’s heat wave, which was 10 to 15 degrees Celsius warmer than normal.