Toronto Power Outage Amid Brutal Heat Wave: Thousands Left Without Electricity

A power outage in Toronto has left thousands of homes and businesses without electricity during a brutal heat wave. With temperatures reaching 36°C and a humidex pushing it to 46°C, the disruption comes at a critical time, leaving residents without cooling relief in the extreme heat. Here’s what you need to know about the ongoing Toronto power outage and the efforts underway to restore service.

Toronto Hydro Outage: Affects Thousands

As of 2 p.m. on June 23, 2025, about 2,690 customers were affected by the power outage. The outage extended from Bloor Street West and Avenue Road to areas north of Bayview and Finch. The disruption was caused by an issue at Hydro One’s Bridgeman Transmission Station, which impacted the power supply to Toronto Hydro and its customers.

Hydro One posted an update on X, confirming that their teams were working quickly with Toronto Hydro to restore power. The restoration was expected by 4:30 p.m. on the same day. However, the outage is a significant disruption for Toronto residents already grappling with extreme heat.

Impact of the Heat Wave

The power outages are particularly challenging for residents amid the ongoing heat wave. The forecast for June 23 includes temperatures climbing to 36°C, with a humidex value making it feel like 46°C. The intense heat is raising concerns about heat-related health risks, like heat stroke and breathing difficulties, particularly for vulnerable individuals.

A resident of an East York apartment building told CTV News Toronto that the heat was “unbearable” after a planned outage at 72 Gamble Avenue left them without power. The outage left residents in stifling heat for hours before power was restored. Some expressed worry for elderly tenants and children in the building.

Toronto Hydro acknowledged the discomfort caused by the outage but assured residents that the work was essential for maintaining safe and reliable power. The utility deployed additional resources to expedite repairs.

Power Outages Widespread Across Ontario

Power outages affected not only Toronto but also central and eastern Ontario. As of 3:17 p.m. EDT on June 23, approximately 17,500 homes and businesses were without power. Hydro One reported 12,314 outages, while other utilities like Niagara Peninsula Energy and Hydro Ottawa also reported significant disruptions.

This widespread outage continues to disrupt daily life, with crews working to restore power as quickly as possible. The heat wave is making things worse for those affected by the outages, with Environment Canada issuing heat warnings across many regions in Ontario.

As power outages persist in Toronto and throughout Ontario, the combination of extreme heat and power loss is creating serious challenges. Officials are urging residents to stay updated on restoration efforts and take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses in this sweltering weather.

More…

• https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/canada/toronto-power-outage-leaves-thousands-without-power-as-ontario-boils-in-sweltering-heat/articleshow/122033352.cms?from=mdr
• https://www.cp24.com/news/2025/06/23/planned-power-outage-at-toronto-apartment-building-goes-ahead-despite-heat-wave
• https://www.blogto.com/city/2025/06/toronto-hydro-outage-map