Window mounted air conditioners and an exhaust hose from a portable unit are seen in apartment windows, in Burnaby, B. C., on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A new law in Ontario that gives tenants the clear right to set up air conditioning units is about to take effect this Wednesday, just as a heat wave is hitting.
This part of a 2023 law will start on July 1 and allows tenants to put in and use a window air conditioner or portable unit if their landlord doesn’t provide any cooling, but there are some conditions.
It’s one of many regulatory and legal updates launching on Canada Day, which also includes changes to landlord-tenant laws that some advocates say could make it easier for landlords to evict tenants and create challenges for renters.
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On July 1, the age for publicly funded colorectal cancer screenings will also drop from 50 to 45. Pharmacists will gain the ability to assess and treat more minor health issues and administer additional publicly funded vaccines.
This Wednesday is also when Ontario drivers can save money by opting out of certain auto insurance accident benefits. However, experts warn that while it may seem like a good idea now, it could lead to problems later if there’s a serious accident.
Drivers coming to Ontario from places without driver’s license exchange agreements will need to complete a G2 road test first. Then they’ll have to wait at least a year before they can try for their full G license starting July 1.
Other updates include allowing the Ministry of Finance to use liens, garnishments, and property seizures for collecting unpaid bail debts; giving some transit special constables authority to arrest people using drugs on public transport; and stopping registered sex offenders from legally changing their names.
This report by The Canadian Press was first June 30, 2026.
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