Vancouver mayoral candidate proposes retrofits to keep homes cool.

Amanda Burrows is proposing a retrofit program to install electric heat pumps in low-rise apartments, co-ops and non-market housing to keep indoor temperatures below 26°C. She said she would work with BC Hydro and provincial and federal governments to coordinate rebates, capital funding and grid planning.

Amanda Burrows, a mayoral candidate seeking OneCity Vancouver’s nomination, has proposed a program to retrofit low-rise apartments, housing co‑ops and non‑market homes with electric heat pumps to reduce indoor overheating. She describes the idea as a "right to cool," aiming to keep indoor temperatures below 26°C. Older buildings in the city commonly rely on aging gas boilers and often lack adequate cooling, which increases exposure to extreme heat and wildfire smoke. Concerns about heat risks were heightened after the 2021 heat dome, which was reported to cause at least 619 deaths in British Columbia, most of them indoors. Key points: - Burrows proposes retrofits focused on low-rise apartments, co‑ops and non‑market housing that would install electric heat pumps to help keep homes under 26°C. - She frames the work as protecting affordable housing while addressing heat and smoke exposure in older buildings. - Burrows said she would coordinate with BC Hydro and provincial and federal governments to align rebates, capital funding and grid planning. - Public health reporting and Vancouver Coastal Health have identified higher heat risks for older adults, people with certain medical conditions, those with limited green space, and people facing poverty or social isolation. - The Vancouver mayoral election is scheduled for Oct. 17, 2026, and Burrows is among several candidates seeking the mayoralty. Summary: The proposal targets older, low‑rise buildings to address overheating and smoke exposure while aiming to preserve affordable homes rather than trigger displacement. Burrows intends to seek coordination with utility and senior governments for funding and grid planning. The mayoral election is scheduled for Oct. 17, 2026.