The AMS is striving to keep things cool in student housing when the summer heat hits.
The Commission of Environmental Sustainability (CES) attended the Feb. 4 City Council meeting where the city proposed an amendment to Motion 13.2.1 which was brought forward by Kingston’s Commissioner, Growth and Development Services Paige Agnew. The vote ed by a majority, and requires landlords or property owners of residential rental units with air conditioning systems to maintain a temperature not exceeding 26 degrees Celsius from June 1 to Sept. 30.
CES argues the motion should cover all rental units, including those without air conditioning—like in the case of many student housing units. The bylaw change aims to ensure tenants don’t overheat during the summer months.
Commissioner Anne Fu, HealthSci ’25, said in a statement to The Journal that many students don’t have units with air conditioning in the first place meaning the change won’t apply to them.
“Such a bylaw also continues to leave tenants who are low-income, elderly, chronically ill, or unable to afford air conditioning without protection,” Fu said.
The CES was unable to make the changes to the bylaw with the city concerned about whether they would be able to enforce such an extensive policy. However, the city agreed they would discuss the implementation of maximum indoor temperature laws for all residential units if the province amends the Residential Tenancies Act to make cooling an essential service or if other municipalities such as Toronto are able to move forward on their own heating bylaws.
“It’s our hope Kingston City Council will continue to take urgent action on the climate crisis, including the growing concern of extreme heat, and establish better housing standards for all,” Fu said.
In an interview with The Journal, Jack Rastin, Sci ’27, shared that many students, himself included, struggle to find affordable housing that doesn’t overheat in the summer.
“Finding a place with air conditioning is nearly impossible in Kingston,” Rastin said. “[When I was looking for places] not many had air conditioning and, if they did, rent was generally much more expensive.”
Fu hopes the City of Kingston will seriously consider the new bylaw amendment, which proposes setting maximum indoor temperatures for all rental units, including those without air conditioning.
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