Toronto activates heat emergency measures during orange warning

Toronto’s medical officer of health says the city has activated all of its heat emergency measures as a prolonged stretch of extreme temperatures continues. The warning calls for temperatures between 31 C and 34 C, with some areas possibly reaching 37 C when humidity is included. Officials say the hottest conditions are expected on Wednesday and Thursday. In response, the city has extended hours at public pools and wading pools and increased access to airconditioned spaces such as libraries and community centres. Toronto has also opened a 24hour cooling centre on Spadina Road and added about 100 shelter spaces. City officials say seniors, very young children and people without housing face the greatest risk during the heat event. Mayor Olivia Chow said outreach workers are distributing bottled water and trying to direct people to cooling centres, while health officials continue urging residents to watch for signs of heat exhaustion.