Winnipeg must protect residents from extreme heat

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People’s Climate Mandate Calls for Action to Protect Winnipeggers from Indoor and Outdoor Extreme Heat

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sept 9, 2026

After another hot summer Winnipeggers are calling for election candidates to address the extreme heat faced by residents both inside of their homes and outdoors in their neighborhoods.

The number of days above 25 degrees celcius is expected to climb to 81-101 by 2050. Extreme heat is among the most deadly of climate-driven extreme weather impacts. In Canada, extreme heat kills more people than any other weather event. Heat exposure caused the deaths of 619 people during BC’s 2021 heatwave. Manitoba does not yet track data on heat-related mortality.

“In a warming world we need heat protection for people. This means keeping pools, splash pads, libraries and other public facilities open longer, as they serve as cooling centres during heat waves. It means protecting and expanding our current tree canopy and other forms of natural shade. And it means changing by-laws to protect folks from heat, as we already do with respect to cold weather,” said James Beddome, Executive Director of the Manitoba Eco-Network.

Trees and greenspace have a role to play in both climate mitigation and adaptation. Winnipeg’s trees store ½ million tonnes of carbon, and help reduce air pollution. They also protect against climate impacts by providing shade and cooling on hot days–which can offset the urban heat island effect and limit the need for air conditioning.

"We know that urban trees, forests and other green and blue spaces aren’t just beautiful amenities—they’re essential natural infrastructure that make our city more climate resilient and biodiverse,” says Erna Buffie of Trees Please Winnipeg. “Nature is our best protection from climate driven heat, floods and fires. That’s why the people of Winnipeg are asking for better protection and greater investment in nature-based climate solutions."

PEOPLE’S CLIMATE MANDATE

The PCM is a 10-point advocacy platform that represents how the next city council can take action to make our city more climate-friendly, green, liveable, and democratic. The platform was developed through:

A public townhall with almost 100 community members to brainstorm and evaluate solutions
An online public survey with 100+ responses
Conversations with organizations across the city to learn more about city context and discuss their priorities
A review of the city's plans and policies, as well as supporting background research. All PCM recommendations are grounded in the city's stated commitments, targets, and plans.

Read the full PCM here.

CALL TO ACTION

The People’s Climate Mandate identifies five actions the next mayor and council can take to tackle extreme heat and protect trees and greenspace:

Maximum heat bylaw: The city already has a minimum heat bylaw that ensures dwellings have adequate heating in the winter. Given the increasing dangers of extreme heat, the city should explore setting a bylaw that mandates rental buildings cannot get above a certain temperature as well. Hamilton, Toronto, and New Westminster are some cities already exploring or implementing a maximum heat bylaw.
Reversing cuts to city services: the city has rolled back funding for libraries and public pools and splashpads, with some public pools closing. These are not only essential public services, but should be considered part of climate adaptation. The city should expand cooling centres and reverse cuts to these existing city services that play a role in heat response.
Maintain and enhance the Winnipeg Urban Forestry budget to achieve the 24% canopy target by protecting, maintaining, and replacing trees (voted a top solution in the community townhall).
Develop effective protection for trees, greenspace, and waterways on private property: many other Canadian cities have a tree protection bylaw for trees on private property. Winnipeg began exploring such a bylaw in 2025, but delayed making a decision.
Complete the Greenspace Plan and Biodiversity Policy without further delay and dedicate funding to its implementation.

More Details

“The People’s Climate Mandate is a platform developed for Winnipeg by Winnipeggers,” said Hannah Muhajarine, Campaigns Manager with Climate Reality. “At our townhall, we heard the ways people are struggling or see others in their community struggling to deal with extreme heat, and this was voted one of the most urgent and pressing priorities for action. Other cities such as Hamilton and Toronto have comprehensive strategies for dealing with heat, and we urge Winnipeg to follow their lead.”

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