A new study reveals Quebec could face soaring costs due to extreme heat if no action is taken
The researchers found that heat waves are costing Quebec about $15 million a year in healthcare alone. That’s not even counting the indirect costs from absenteeism and the intangible costs related to loss of life and well-being.
They warn that if we keep doing nothing, these costs could triple in the next 50 years. Imagine heat-related deaths and illnesses doubling or even quintupling by 2050!
The study suggests that without any adaptation measures, total costs could soar to nearly $17.4 billion. That’s a hefty price tag for ignoring the problem.
The authors emphasize that while these figures are alarming, they’re based on a “status quo” scenario. If we take steps to adapt, we might be able to lower these costs.
They recommend improving heat adaptation measures, like increasing green spaces and creating better alert systems. It’s crucial to recognize that the health costs from extreme heat are just as significant as those from other disasters, even if they often go unnoticed.
In fact, the costs from heat could reach $17 billion by 2050 if we don’t change our approach. The warmer it gets, the more it will cost us.
The study was shared at the Ouranos 2025 Symposium, highlighting the urgent need for action. Now that we have this data, it’s time for policymakers to step up and address these looming costs.
