Three deaths in Ontario are being investigated as potentially being heat-related following an extreme heat wave last week, according to the province’s chief coroner.“Our investigations do take a period of time — sometimes many weeks to months — until we are fully able to evaluate all of the examination findings, medical history and other additional tests,” Dr. Dirk Huyer told reporters in a conference call Tuesday.Eastern Canada was slammed with a heat wave that began over the Canada Day long weekend. With highs in Toronto of up to 35.4 C, Environment Canada said the early-July heat wave was one of the most extreme in years.Health authorities in Quebec on Monday said up to 70 people may have died in that province as a result of heat-related complications, including 34 in Montreal.A death in Ontario is considered heat-related, Huyer said, when it is accidental and caused by the direct effects of heat, like heat stroke. The three deaths being investigated were reported to the coroner within the last four days.Emergency department visits surged during the heat wave, said Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. Dr. David Williams said the increase began on June 29, peaked on July 1 and had returned to baseline by July 7.With conditions that felt more like the mid-40s with humidity, advocates last week called for the city to do more for homeless and vulnerable populations. Tamar Harris is a breaking news reporter based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @tamarmharris
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