Montreal, Quebec – On July 5, 2026, researcher Daniel Gagnon of the EPIC Centre at the Montreal Heart Institute spoke with CBC journalist Sonali Karnick about his team’s recent findings on ways communities can adapt to increasingly hot weather. The discussion highlighted the institute’s growing focus on building resilience as heat waves become more frequent and intense across the region.
Gagnon explained that the EPIC Centre is conducting a series of studies aimed at identifying practical strategies that neighborhoods can employ to protect vulnerable residents and maintain public health during periods of extreme heat. While the research is still underway, the team has begun to outline a framework that combines infrastructure improvements, public awareness campaigns, and coordinated emergency response measures.
The institute’s work comes at a time when climate projections indicate that summer temperatures in Montreal are set to rise significantly over the coming decades. Health officials have warned that higher heat levels can exacerbate cardiovascular stress, a concern that aligns closely with the Montreal Heart Institute’s core mission. By focusing on community‑level adaptations, the EPIC Centre hopes to mitigate the indirect health impacts of heat, such as increased hospital admissions for heart‑related conditions.
During the interview, Karnick asked Gagnon how local authorities and residents might implement the proposed adaptations. Gagnon emphasized the importance of collaborative planning, noting that successful heat‑resilience programs often require input from city planners, healthcare providers, and community groups. He also pointed to the need for ongoing data collection to refine recommendations as climate patterns evolve.
The findings presented by Gagnon and his colleagues are intended to inform policy decisions and guide future investments in heat‑ready infrastructure. By sharing their work with the public and media, the EPIC Centre aims to raise awareness of the looming challenge and encourage proactive steps toward a safer, more resilient Montreal.
The research is part of a broader effort by the Montreal Heart Institute to address the health implications of climate change, reinforcing the institution’s role as a leader in preventive cardiovascular care and community health planning.