Temperatures are reaching more than 30 C in apartment units at 1300 Pinecrest Rd. in Ottawa.

Residents are not happy and describe the current conditions as a living hell.

"It's like being held hostage in an environment that's very, very bad for my health," said resident Barby Clement.

Clement lives with a spinal condition that confines her to a wheelchair. Asthma also requires her to keep the windows closed and temperature cool.

Clement says she moved into the building because they had air conditioning. Now, the landlord won't turn it on.

"I would have to leave my home and my health because of the greed in my opinion of the company that owns the building."

The building is owned by Homestead Land Holdings. The company could not be reached for comment.

Temperature heats up city-wide:

Ottawa is getting hotter, and though the city has not issued an official heat alert, paramedics are warning the public to take the necessary precautions.

Ottawa Public Health offers the following advice:

  • Drink plenty of water
  • Stay out of the sun and heat
  • Find a cool place to spend the day (i.e. libraries, community centres or shopping malls)
  • Avoid strenuous physical activity outdoors
  • Check on neighbours and friends who are particularly vulnerable (i.e. seniors, children, highrise apartment dwellers, chronically ill etc.)
  • Do not leave children or pets unattended in the car

Monday's high will reach 31 C. Tuesday is expected to soar to a sizzling 34 C.

However, the humidex must be forecasted at 40 C two days in a row before an official heat alert is issued.

Toronto is under heat alert until further notice.

*Note: Humidex is an index devised to describe how hot or humid weather feels to the average person. It is therefore a better measure of how stifling the air feels than either temperature or humidity alone. A humidex of 40 with, for example, a temperature of 30 degrees means that the sensation of heat when it is 30 degrees and the air is humid is more or less the same as when it is 40 degrees and the air is dry. (Source: Environment Canada)

With a report from CTV's John Hua