Image: Canadian Press / Air conditioning units are pictured at a retail store in Canada. The British Columbia government announced in June 2023 that its Crown power utility, BC Hydro, would provide up to 8,000 free air-conditioning units to vulnerable people at a cost of $10 million. The move followed a deadly heat wave in 2021 that killed more than 600 people. BC United, the opposition party in the BC Legislature, claims the BC NDP government has only installed 360 free air conditioners, while more than 3,000 applications have been received. This program was created to address some of the concerns arising from the NDP government’s response the head dome in 2021.
Slow air conditioner rollout in BC

BC United faults BC NDP govt. for slow rollout of free air conditioner program

Aug 16, 2023 | 1:04 PM

CHILLIWACK — As temperatures skyrocket across the province and leave vulnerable British Columbians at risk, BC United asserts the BC NDP government’s free air conditioner program has been a resounding failure.

The British Columbia government announced in June 2023 that its Crown power utility, BC Hydro, would provide up to 8,000 free air-conditioning units to vulnerable people at a cost of $10 million.

The move followed a deadly heat wave in 2021 that killed more than 600 people.

A death review panel by the BC Coroners Service concluded that most of the 619 people who died in B.C.’s heat dome event in 2021 were low-income and vulnerable people who were 60 years and older.

One of the key recommendations from the panel was that the government provide air-conditioning units to those living in single-room apartments.

However, BC United Shadow Minister for Health Shirley Bond says the overall rollout and administration of the program has been underwhelming. Since announcing the program, BC United claims the BC NDP government has only installed 360 free air conditioners, while more than 3,000 applications have been received. This program was created to address some of the concerns arising from the NDP government’s response to the heat dome in 2021.

“After more than 600 people were killed by a deadly heatwave two years ago, there is no sign that the NDP is taking their promise to do better seriously,” Bond said. “Unfortunately, as our province faces another scorching and dangerous heat wave, the NDP has failed to ensure people have access to the cooling measures they need to stay safe. In fact, the NDP’s much-discussed free air conditioner program has managed to install only 12 per cent of the 3,000 units that have been applied for. Thousands of people have been left waiting for the potentially lifesaving help the NDP government promised to them.”

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