As winter weather descends upon Toronto, residents are grappling with plummeting temperatures not only outside but inside their homes as well. A concerning situation has emerged at a building located at 2255 Weston Road, where tenants have been without heat since Sunday, forcing them to endure icy conditions indoors. Tawfeeque Elmi, a resident, shares that despite using a space heater, the temperature in his son's bedroom has only reached a frigid 15 degrees Celsius.

"My son was crying last night. We had to move him to sleep between me and my wife to keep him warm," Elmi told reporters. His 7-year-old son, Mahad, added, "I was shivering, and I had to get two blankets to feel warm. It’s been bad, I felt really scared." The emotional distress and health risks posed by the cold have left Elmi worried every time he leaves for work.

Landlords in Toronto are obligated to provide adequate heating, maintaining indoor temperatures of at least 21 degrees Celsius from October to May. Failure to comply can prompt intervention from bylaw enforcement. Despite attempts to reach the property management company for clarification on the heating issue, there has been no response, and the building's supervisor declined to comment.

While some residents have received space heaters, these devices have caused further complications. When tenants attempt to use them, the building's power goes out intermittently, leading to additional frustration. One resident remarked, "No power, no heat. The power will come back, and then it’s off again. I can’t even have my sons over because it’s so cold."

The situation at Weston Road is not isolated. Two buildings located at 1531 & 1535 Bathurst Street have similarly been without heat since October. Resident Rebecca Torres described the ordeal, stating, "Indoor temperatures in our apartments are 9 and 10 degrees Celsius. We’re sleeping in our clothes—it’s like camping in your own apartment."

Initially, residents were informed that a boiler repair was necessary and that the company was awaiting parts. However, as time passed, it became apparent that one of the boilers required complete replacement. "The communication from management has been really poor," expressed resident Katherine Gall. "We’re finding out information from talking to onsite contractors or even bylaw officers when we call them. It’s really emotionally draining, and I can’t even convey how uncomfortable it is to be cold all the time."

Hazelview Properties, the management company for the two Bathurst buildings, initially refrained from explaining the ongoing heating issues. Late on Friday, they announced that heat had been restored. However, a contractor who spoke to reporters revealed that instead of replacing the boiler, heat is being siphoned from a third building down the street. This has left residents skeptical about the long-term viability of this temporary solution.

Residents remain apprehensive about their heating situation as frigid winter conditions persist, raising concerns about their comfort and well-being as they head into the colder months.