A Moncton woman was hospitalized with heat exhaustion this week, prompting renewed calls from NB ACORN for air conditioning to be recognized as a basic right for tenants.

The woman, a member of NB ACORN’s Moncton chapter, had been participating in tenant organizing efforts around unsafe housing conditions when she fell seriously ill from the heat. Her hospitalization has brought increased urgency to the group’s ongoing “A/C for All” campaign, which demands that landlords be required to provide adequate cooling for tenants, particularly in low-income housing.

In a statement, NB ACORN emphasized that extreme heat is no longer a rare occurrence but a growing public health threat, made worse by the climate crisis. Many tenants in older apartment buildings or basement units are especially vulnerable, as they often lack ventilation, insulation, or access to affordable air conditioning.

“Too many people are suffering in silence,” said the group. “We’re talking about seniors, people with disabilities, young families—folks who are already living paycheque to paycheque and can’t afford to buy or run an air conditioner. This is a life-or-death issue.”

The organization is calling on provincial and municipal governments to pass legislation that ensures tenants have the right to a safe indoor temperature during heat waves, just as they are entitled to heating during the winter. They are also asking for public subsidies or rebate programs to help low-income renters access and operate A/C units.

This week’s incident in Moncton is not the first time NB ACORN has raised concerns about the risks of extreme heat for renters. In past summers, members have shared stories of tenants passing out, experiencing migraines, and becoming physically ill due to poorly ventilated living spaces. The group says the situation is made worse by rising rents and shrinking options for affordable housing, leaving many tenants feeling trapped.

NB ACORN is urging elected officials to treat heat protection as a housing rights issue, not just a matter of comfort, but of survival.

As the climate continues to change and summers grow hotter, organizers say the demand is simple: A/C for all.

This reporting has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada, administered by the Canadian Association of Community Television Stations and Users (CACTUS).