As Canada recorded its hottest July on record this summer, thousands of outdoor workers faced dangerous conditions that experts now classify as a growing public health emergency. The World Health Organization has sounded the alarm on occupational heat exposure, which is silently affecting workers across Canada’s construction sites, farms, and manufacturing facilities.
“What we’re witnessing is not just uncomfortable working conditions—it’s a legitimate health crisis,” says Dr. Margaret Chen, an occupational health specialist at the University of Toronto. “Heat-related illness can progress from mild symptoms to life-threatening conditions within hours, yet many Canadian workplaces still lack adequate protection protocols.”
Recent data from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety reveals a 43% increase in heat-related workplace incidents over the past five years. In provinces like British Columbia and Ontario, emergency room visits for heat-related illnesses spike dramatically during summer months, with outdoor workers representing nearly 60% of these cases.
The consequences extend beyond immediate health concerns. A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that productivity decreases by approximately 7% for every degree Celsius above optimal working temperatures. For Canada’s economy, this translates to billions in lost productivity each summer.
“The problem is particularly acute for vulnerable populations,” explains Raj Sharma, a policy advisor with the Workers Health and Safety Coalition. “New immigrants, temporary foreign workers, and those in precarious employment often face the most dangerous heat conditions with the least protection. Many fear reporting unsafe conditions will jeopardize their employment.”
While some provinces have introduced heat stress regulations, implementation remains inconsistent. British Columbia’s “heat alert” system, established after the deadly 2021 heat dome, represents progress, but similar comprehensive frameworks are lacking across much of Canada.
The WHO report emphasizes that climate change will only intensify these challenges. Without significant policy interventions and workplace adaptations, heat-related occupational illnesses could increase by up to 70% by 2050.
“We need to recognize this isn’t just about comfort—it’s about preventing deaths,” says Dr. Chen. “Mandatory rest periods, hydration protocols, adjusted work schedules during extreme heat, and proper cooling stations should be standard across all Canadian workplaces.”
As global temperatures continue rising, the question facing Canadian policymakers, employers, and workers becomes increasingly urgent: will we treat occupational heat exposure as the serious public health threat it represents, or continue paying the price in human health and economic productivity?
