Toronto ACORN Turns Up The Heat On Excessive AC Surcharges!
Posted August 18, 2026
On July 1, 2026, new provincial rules under Bill 97 came into effect regarding air conditioning in rental units. The new law allows corporate landlords to hit tenants with expensive surcharges for the months they use AC if utilities are included in their rent. According to ACORN Canada’s 2025 tenant survey, roughly ⅓ of tenants live in all-inclusive units.
Surcharges are supposed to be based on the actual added energy costs of running an AC unit. However, landlords are allowed to use arbitrary, unproven estimates if the actual usage per household isn’t available. Most landlords can’t sub-meter one window or portable AC unit so this loophole gives landlords a free pass to exploit tenants for extra profit.
That’s why Toronto ACORN members descended upon the Ontario Ministry of Energy & Mines today to deliver a demand letter addressed to Minister Stephen Lecce.
We’re calling on the Ontario government to:
- Expand electricity support to cover AC surcharges: Immediately expand the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) to fully cover any extra AC surcharges forced onto tenants. Currently, tenants with utilities included in their rent cannot apply for the $35-75/month credit on hydro.
- Free AC units: Fund a province-wide program to provide free, energy-efficient air conditioners to low- and moderate-income renters, similar to the BC Hydro program.
Staff at the ministry offices accepted our letter and provided a contact to follow up with, but we’re not letting up! The summers are getting hotter, the world is burning, and working class people need real solutions!
Wanna get involved in ACORN’s Beat the Heat campaign? Contact Toronto ACORN at (416) 461-9233 or [email protected].
