Vancouver protesters demand more action to prevent heat-related deaths

Protesters are gathering outside the Vancouver Art Gallery Sunday, demanding more action to prevent heat-related deaths.

The demonstration marks the start of the second anniversary of the deadly heat dome in B.C., when more than 600 people died from June 25 to July 1, 2021.

The Vancouver Ecosocialist Group says protesters are calling on the government to do more. Some of the demands include funding or distributing portable air conditioners to low-income residents; legislature to prevent indoor temperatures from exceeding 23-degrees Celsius; and the opening of 24-hour cooling centres that include overnight accommodation.

“We will also be asking for people to write to their local MLAs and other representatives to demand action to prevent future heat-related deaths. These three demands are the bare minimum that must be done, and we believe these are winnable demands,” the group wrote.

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In May, Premier David Eby said the province “is in a much better position this year,” and noted steps have been taken to help ensure safety.

“In terms of government’s responsibility, health authorities have access to portable air conditioning now for places like long-term care homes and other vulnerable communities,” he said.

“We have a reimbursement program in place for local governments and Indigenous community groups to be able to provide cooling centres in community. At an emergency response level around temperatures, we have increased ambulance capacity now, as well as increased ability to notify British Columbians of dangerously high temperatures so that people can prepare themselves.”

The federal government also previously outlined a number of goals in its National Adaptation Strategy, including eliminating deaths due to extreme heat waves by 2040.

On Sunday, the rally is scheduled to run from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the gallery’s South Plaza.

With files from Hana Mae Nassar, Cole Schisler, David Nadalini and Sonia Aslam