Heatwave Intensifies Across Central Canada as Temperatures Hit 38°C

A record-breaking heatwave is sweeping through Ontario and Quebec, triggering Environment Canada warnings and placing additional strain on local infrastructure, particularly in urban centers like Toronto and Ottawa.

As of Sunday morning, much of central Canada is under a heat warning, with temperatures expected to climb as high as 38°C (100°F) in parts of Ontario and Quebec. Environment Canada issued alerts for multiple regions, citing extreme heat and humidity posing a risk to health and infrastructure.

The heatwave, which began intensifying late last week, is particularly impacting urban areas such as Toronto, Hamilton, Montreal, and Ottawa. Public health officials have advised residents to stay indoors, use cooling centers where available, and avoid strenuous outdoor activity during peak hours. Vulnerable populations, including seniors, children, and those with pre-existing medical conditions, are being urged to take extra precautions.

Emergency services have reported a rise in heat-related calls, and several public events scheduled for Victoria Day weekend have been cancelled or rescheduled. Toronto’s paramedic services issued a public advisory Saturday night after more than 40 calls related to heat exhaustion were logged within a 12-hour period.

Meanwhile, electricity providers are seeing record energy consumption as residents crank up air conditioning units. The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has asked Ontario residents to reduce power use during peak hours to help manage grid stability.

Climate experts have linked the unusually high May temperatures to shifting weather patterns and warn that heatwaves are becoming more frequent and severe in Canada due to climate change. “This is no longer abnormal—this is the new normal,” said Dr. Elaine Giroux, a climatologist with the Canadian Climate Institute.

Despite the warnings, beaches, splash pads, and public parks have been unusually crowded, as families seek relief outdoors during the long weekend. Municipalities are responding by expanding operating hours for public pools and installing temporary misting stations.

Canada Post Negotiations Enter Final Phase Ahead of Strike Deadline

As the May 22 strike deadline looms, negotiations between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have intensified, with major disruptions to deliveries potentially days away if no agreement is reached.

With less than a week remaining before a nationwide strike could paralyze the country’s mail and parcel delivery network, Canada Post and CUPW are entering what both sides have described as “critical and final” negotiations. The core issues include wage increases, workload adjustments, rural pay equity, and the future of door-to-door delivery.

CUPW representatives have accused the Crown corporation of dragging its feet on key demands despite months of talks. “Canada Post is sitting on a $400 million surplus and still refuses to meet workers halfway,” said National President Jan Simpson during a press conference on Saturday.

Canada Post, meanwhile, has emphasized the need for fiscal sustainability in a rapidly changing delivery environment. “We face declining letter mail volumes and rising parcel competition from private couriers. Any agreement must protect our ability to modernize,” said spokesperson Valerie Chartrand.

In preparation for a potential work stoppage, small businesses across the country are scrambling to secure contingency plans. E-commerce retailers who rely heavily on Canada Post are warning customers of delays, especially with the Victoria Day long weekend intensifying shipment volumes.

The federal government has not ruled out legislating postal workers back to work if a strike materializes. Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan said the government “remains hopeful for a negotiated settlement” but added that “disruption to critical services must be minimized.”

Postal workers across major cities including Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Halifax have already staged rotating demonstrations as a show of solidarity. Meanwhile, mediation efforts are being accelerated under federal oversight, with daily talks now extending into late-night sessions.

Wildfire Risk Elevated in B.C. and Alberta as Dry Conditions Persist

Dry winds, low humidity, and unusually warm temperatures have led to increased wildfire risk across British Columbia and Alberta, prompting warnings from provincial fire agencies and municipal leaders.

Western Canada is once again entering a dangerous fire season. On Sunday morning, both B.C. Wildfire Service and Alberta Wildfire issued Level 4 alerts for several zones near Kamloops, Vernon, Lethbridge, and Fort McMurray. The warnings come as hot, dry weather stretches into its second week, with minimal rainfall in the forecast.

“Fuel conditions in most interior forests are drier now than they usually are in late June,” said Melanie Crocker, senior forecaster at the B.C. Wildfire Service. “This is extremely concerning for mid-May.”

Over a dozen new fires have been reported in the past 72 hours, most of which were sparked by lightning or human activity. Crews are on high alert, and additional resources have been pre-deployed to vulnerable regions. Controlled burns have been suspended in many areas to reduce unintended ignition risks.

Alberta’s FireSmart teams are working with local municipalities to expand firebreaks, and evacuation preparedness drills are being conducted in several communities bordering crown land. Last summer, wildfires displaced over 60,000 Canadians in Alberta alone.

Health Canada has issued advisories for at-risk groups, especially in regions where smoke plumes are likely to drift into urban zones. Respiratory issues are of particular concern as wildfire smoke becomes a recurring threat in Canadian summers.