[Monarch Butterfly]

I remember drowning in sweat in grade school on those hot days in May and June in our 50's built building that obviously had no AC and thinking how primitive those conditions were. They were not conducive to learning whatsoever because kids couldn't even concentrate. Here we are, decades later, and this is still a problem? Why? It's disgusting actually. My assumption my entire life was that society gradually makes improvements over time.

I'm assuming that air-conditioning is not yet "standard" in the Ontario Building Code? Yet Toronto may require air-conditioning in rental units.

Is air-conditioning "standard" in automobiles theses days (yet the air conditioning excise tax in Ontario is a mandatory fee of $100 that applies to all new vehicles equipped with air conditioning.)

 

[picard102]

My assumption my entire life was that society gradually makes improvements over time.

Not when you have conservatives holding society back.

 

[81-717]

I remember drowning in sweat in grade school on those hot days in May and June in our 50's built building that obviously had no AC and thinking how primitive those conditions were. They were not conducive to learning whatsoever because kids couldn't even concentrate. Here we are, decades later, and this is still a problem? Why? It's disgusting actually. My assumption my entire life was that society gradually makes improvements over time.

This is why I pity those who have to go to work in corporate brand attire in this heat (and worse heat yet to come).

 

[lenaitch]

I remember drowning in sweat in grade school on those hot days in May and June in our 50's built building that obviously had no AC and thinking how primitive those conditions were. They were not conducive to learning whatsoever because kids couldn't even concentrate. Here we are, decades later, and this is still a problem? Why? It's disgusting actually. My assumption my entire life was that society gradually makes improvements over time.

In the '50s and '60s, all I knew about air conditioning was it was this wonderous thing that was so rare that restaurants and theatres would advertise it boldly. No middle class house or vehicle had it.

I'm assuming that air-conditioning is not yet "standard" in the Ontario Building Code? Yet Toronto may require air-conditioning in rental units.

Is air-conditioning "standard" in automobiles theses days (yet the air conditioning excise tax in Ontario is a mandatory fee of $100 that applies to all new vehicles equipped with air conditioning.)

It is not in the building code. I don't think it is a requirement in rentals (heating is).

I'll bet you would be hard pressed to find a automobile model that doesn't have a/c as standard. Even the bog-standard, fleet-level pickup trucks have a/c as standard. Yes, the tax is still there.

If they wanted to, the teachers and/or their union could try to argue that the schools are an unsafe work environment but they would have to make their case. That is what my police association ('union') did. We engaged a consulting company that established that the inside of a vehicle with the windows rolled up was unsafe due to temperature and with the windows rolled down was unsafe due to sound levels (especially with sound barriers like in the GTA).

This is why I pity those who have to go to work in corporate brand attire in this heat (and worse heat yet to come).

Try it wearing body armour (or, I suppose, FD bunker gear).

I have to believe most workplace buildings are conditioned now (well, except schools). I did the shirt-and-tie gig for 15 years. Depending on your line of work, it comes with the territory.

 

[evandyk]

If they wanted to, the teachers and/or their union could try to argue that the schools are an unsafe work environment but they would have to make their case. That is what my police association ('union') did. We engaged a consulting company that established that the inside of a vehicle with the windows rolled up was unsafe due to temperature and with the windows rolled down was unsafe due to sound levels (especially with sound barriers like in the GTA).

I have to believe most workplace buildings are conditioned now (well, except schools). I did the shirt-and-tie gig for 15 years. Depending on your line of work, it comes with the territory.

The ridiculous "rules" that had the City of Toronto closing pools last summer come from a set of guidelines issued by a union group. Employers have a general obligation to take all reasonable steps to ensure safety, which would include from heat hazards, but there is no specific maximum temperature.

https://www.ohcow.on.ca/edit/files/heatstressawareness/Heat%20Stress%20Awareness%20Guide.pdf

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2058994246951010489

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2058663629151481966

 

[picard102]

The ridiculous "rules" that had the City of Toronto closing pools last summer come from a set of guidelines issued by a union group.

No one should have to work in 45C+ weather.

 

[CMQSD402F9011]

Caroline Mulroney resigning from cabinet, stepping down as MPP

Caroline Mulroney resigning from Ford’s cabinet, will step down as MPP next month​

PC MPP Caroline Mulroney will be resigning from Premier Doug Ford’s cabinet and will be vacating her seat in York-Simcoe, she said in a letter posted to social media. Mulroney, who serves as president of the Treasury Board and minister of Francophone Affairs, said she informed the premier on Sunday and will officially step down on Friday, June 5. “Serving as your Member of Provincial Parliament for York-Simcoe and as a member of the Ontario government for the past eight years has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. It is not a decision I have made lightly,” she wrote. “Two years ago, I lost my father. Last year, my husband Andrew and I became empty nesters. These are the kinds of moments that clarify what matters. Together they have led me to the conclusion that now is the right time to step back from elected life and begin a new chapter, one I am genuinely excited about.” In a statement, Premier Doug Ford said the province has been lucky to have her “calm and steady leadership” in cabinet, noting her other roles as attorney general and transportation minister. “Caroline leaves behind a record she can be immensely proud of: a historic funding agreement for the largest expansion of public transit in North America, disciplined fiscal policies that are helping to keep our economy competitive while investing in critical frontline services and a strong and thriving Francophone community across the province, to name only a few,” the statement read. “Caroline is more than a colleague: she is a close personal friend. I will miss seeing her sitting across from me at the cabinet table and in caucus meetings. Politics is in Caroline’s blood. The Ontario PC Party and our conservative movement will no doubt continue to benefit from her ideas and ideals. Here’s to an exciting next chapter for Caroline and her family.” Ontario Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfavly will fill in on an “interim basis” to serve as Treasury Board president when Mulroney steps aside, Ford confirmed.​

Will the people of Simcoe-York vote for someone other than the PCs(?) I don’t think NDP or the Greens could win this riding. Maybe an Ontario Liberal could?

 

[afransen]

No one should have to work in 45C+ weather.

There are mitigations that can be put in place to make it reasonable to work in those conditions. Shade, cooling, etc and frequent rest periods.

 

[thettctransitfanatic]

Will the people of Simcoe-York vote for someone other than the PCs(?) I don’t think NDP or the Greens could win this riding. Maybe an Ontario Liberal could?

It's a safe PC riding so I'd say how much the PCs win it by will be telling

 

[lenaitch]

No one should have to work in 45C+ weather.

Seeing as the highest temperature ever recorded in Toronto was 41*C in 1936, I think they're safe. More seriously, keep in mind such blanket exemptions would also apply to first responders.

The ridiculous "rules" that had the City of Toronto closing pools last summer come from a set of guidelines issued by a union group. Employers have a general obligation to take all reasonable steps to ensure safety, which would include from heat hazards, but there is no specific maximum temperature.

https://www.ohcow.on.ca/edit/files/heatstressawareness/Heat%20Stress%20Awareness%20Guide.pdf

I didn't realize unions controlled government policy, but I suppose some public section unions have significant sway over employers' policies.

 

[picard102]

Seeing as the highest temperature ever recorded in Toronto was 41*C in 1936, I think they're safe. More seriously, keep in mind such blanket exemptions would also apply to first responders.

It was 45 with the humidex when they closed the pools.

 

[lenaitch]

It was 45 with the humidex when they closed the pools.

Fair enough, but "no one" is overly broad.

 

[evandyk]

The union advocacy group published these guidelines that say when there's a humidex of 45, outside work should only be performed if you rest for 45 minutes out of each hour. The city brainlessly adopted these guidelines. Obviously you can't operate a pool under those constraints, so they closed the pools.

But you could just as easily mitigate by pouring cold water over yourself. You don't need to follow this blanket guideline in circumstances that aren't appropriate.

If you're the guy mowing the grass, sure, on the odd occasion that it hits 45 with humidex, you can be completely unproductive for that day. The grass will eventually get mown. But you can't operate a public-facing service with all your staff sitting on the sidelines for 75% of the day. You need more thoughtful mitigants.