As climate change produces longer and more severe heatwaves across Canada, health professionals and child advocates urge immediate action to protect children in schools and daycare facilities. Over 40 health, legal, and education institutions have issued a unified call for quick government action, underlining that rising indoor temperatures represent a significant risk to young children. 

According to the Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment (CPCHE) and the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA), many Canadian schools and childcare facilities lack basic infrastructure to deal with high temperatures. "The climate crisis is already reshaping childhood in Canada," said Erica Phipps, CPCHE's Executive Director. "Whether children are learning in settings that nurture or harm them depends on decisions made today." 

The anxiety goes beyond discomfort. Children are more sensitive to heat than adults because their bodies produce more heat during exercise and struggle to cool down. They also lose water quickly and may be unable to explain why they are feeling unwell. Heat-related illnesses, such as heat weariness, rashes, and, in severe cases, heat stroke, can emerge quickly, especially in warm classrooms. Children with asthma, heart problems, or disabilities face a significantly higher risk. 

The influence is not only physical. According to a study, high temperatures can affect attention, memory, sleep, and learning in general. "This isn't just about comfort," Phipps stated. "It's about protecting the health, safety, and future of every child in Canada." 

Extreme heat also raises concerns about justice. According to Jacqueline Wilson of CELA, children in low-income communities typically attend schools with no air conditioning or covered outdoor areas. "These are the youth who are already facing challenges." Heat makes those issues much more difficult," she explained. Indigenous pupils are especially vulnerable, as many schools on First Nations land lack basic amenities. 

The situation is worsening. Parts of Canada expect the number of days with temperatures above 30°C to quadruple or triple by 2050. Some schools, notably in Nova Scotia and Quebec, don't have air conditioning. In Toronto, less than one-third of public schools have central cooling systems. Many Winnipeg businesses lack adequate indoor temperature control. 

In response, CPCHE and CELA advocate a series of concrete actions. They call for a maximum indoor temperature of 26°C, backed by substantial investments in school building renovations. This includes modern ventilation systems, better insulation, and low-energy cooling options like heat pumps. 

They also urge for more shade and green areas in outdoor playgrounds. "Pavement and artificial turf trap heat," said Louise de Lannoy from Outdoor Play Canada. "Natural surfaces like grass help keep things cooler and safer." 

Dr Glen Kenny of the University of Ottawa stressed that temperatures above 26°C can harm children's health. "We need to treat indoor overheating as a public health issue," he told journalists. 

Advocates are also asking for better tracking of indoor temperatures and health data so that schools can respond quickly during heat waves. According to the Assembly of First Nations, budget constraints have resulted in over 200 Indigenous schools needing to be expanded or completely replaced, underlining the vital need for specific federal assistance. 

Helen Doyle of the Ontario Public Health Association said, "Our children deserve to learn and grow in safe, healthy environments." We have the instruments; all we need now is willpower.