Heat wave gripping Ontario set to reach peak as temperatures even out in Manitoba

Another dangerous heat wave is set to peak in Ontario on Tuesday, with Environment Canada forecasting a high of 38 Celsius in Toronto that could break a temperature record and put some of the city's most vulnerable residents at risk. 

Environment Canada says similar temperatures are expected in parts of southwestern and eastern Ontario, with the humidex reaching 45 C in some areas. Much of northern Ontario is also under a heat warning, spanning areas from Kenora and Thunder Bay to Fort Hope and Timmins.

In downtown Toronto, stifling heat and humidity sent people seeking shade in parks and cooling off near public fountains and splash pads. 

City workers Andrew Loder and Matthew Botsford, who were out for much of the day maintaining the plants at Berczy Park, said the city has provided them with protective clothing and gear such as cooling headbands and armbands. 

“Our supervisors also make sure to tell us (to) ... take extra breaks,” Botsford said.

“It feels like we just have winter and then summer, but the summers are definitely getting hotter and hotter," Loder said, adding that he tries to keep cool by staying indoors or going for a swim when he's not working. 

Toronto resident Daniel Navarro said he left home early on Tuesday to take his dog for a walk. If he'd left any later, the heat would have made it unsafe for both of them, he said.

"Physically it kind of like drains you, makes you more tired," Navarro said. "Instead of enjoying super nice summer days, we have to worry about these heat waves too."

Toronto and Hamilton are among the municipalities that have opened cooling stations and pools for residents to keep out of the heat. 

The City of Toronto said several outdoor pools will be open until just before midnight on Tuesday to help people cool down. Officials in Vaughan, north of Toronto, also said they extended splash pad hours this week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

In Quebec, the heat came with severe thunderstorm and tornado watches for southern parts of the province. 

Environment Canada warned of strong wind gusts and large hail, with torrential rain reported in some areas on Tuesday morning. A horse farm in the Estrie region was hit by a violent storm that resembled a tornado early Tuesday, its owner said.

Environment Canada meteorologist Kate Leclerc advised Quebecers to stay hydrated and ensure they have places to shelter in case a storm hits. 

“Don't put yourself in situations where you're vulnerable,” she said, highlighting camping as a potentially risky activity.

In Montreal and southern Quebec, smoke coming from wildfires in northern Ontario hung in the air and gave the atmosphere a hazy orange tint. The haze was also present in parts of southern Ontario.

Meanwhile, similar temperatures being felt in southern Manitoba are expected to even out, with daytime highs set to drop to the low-30s or high-20s for the rest of the week.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 14, 2026.

--With files from Fatima Raza in Toronto and Marieke Glorieux-Stryckman in Montreal

By The Canadian Press Staff | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.