Toronto is facing increasingly hot summers due to climate change, with projections of up to 55 days above 30 C by 2051. Climate policy experts and advocates suggest appointing a chief heat officer, a role adopted by cities like Miami, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Athens, and Melbourne, to centralize heat management and adaptation efforts. Currently, 15 city departments handle heat management, leading to calls for better coordination to protect public health and reduce losses. The city manager's office, however, has stated there are no current plans to hire such a position.
Toronto's getting hotter. Experts say a chief heat officer could help the city adapt
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Toronto is facing increasingly hot summers due to climate change, with projections of up to 55 days above 30 C by 2051. Climate policy experts and advocates suggest appointing a chief heat officer, a role adopted by cities like Miami, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Athens, and Melbourne, to centralize heat management and adaptation efforts. Currently, 15 city departments handle heat management, leading to calls for better coordination to protect public health and reduce losses. The city manager's office, however, has stated there are no current plans to hire such a position.
Trending- 1 2017-2019: Toronto had a chief resilience officer funded by Rockefeller Foundation.
- 2 2021: Heat dome over Vancouver resulted in over 600 deaths.
- 3 Current: 15 city departments involved in heat management; Toronto summers are getting hotter (80% probability next three months hotter than past years).
- 4 Future (by 2051): Toronto could experience up to 55 days above 30 C.
- 5 Ongoing: Advocacy for a chief heat officer; city manager's office states no current plans to hire one.
- Potential for improved heat management and climate resilience in Toronto
- Risk of continued fragmented efforts and increased health/economic losses if no central role is adopted
- Potential for better data collection on heat impacts
What: Toronto is considering, but has not yet committed to, appointing a chief heat officer to centralize and improve its heat management and climate adaptation strategies amidst rising temperatures. Experts advocate for this role to coordinate efforts across 15 city departments, protect public health, and reduce losses from extreme heat.
When: Published 2025-06-06; discussions and advocacy are ongoing, with projections for temperatures by 2051. The Rockefeller Foundation funded a chief resilience officer from 2017 to 2019.
Where: Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Comparisons to Miami, Phoenix, Los Angeles (USA), Athens (Greece), Melbourne (Australia).
Why: Climate change is causing hotter summers in Toronto, increasing the risk of heat-related health issues and economic losses. A centralized role is seen as necessary to improve coordination, data collection, and overall resilience, as current efforts are fragmented.
How: Experts and advocates are proposing the appointment of a chief heat officer, a model adopted by other global cities, to lead a dedicated team, break down silos between city departments, and develop a comprehensive heat action resilience plan. The city currently relies on its heat relief strategy involving multiple departments.