Overview
- Toronto recorded roughly 81–82 lithium‑ion battery incidents in 2026 after a cluster of fires in mid‑August that injured multiple people and included at least one fatality.
- Fire officials say many recent blazes involve e‑bikes or other micromobility devices using damaged, modified or uncertified batteries and non‑approved chargers, which increase the risk of thermal runaway and fast‑spreading fires.
- Fire Chief Jim Jessop and Mayor Olivia Chow have publicly pressed for Canadian certification and changes to the fire and building codes to reduce the frequency and severity of these incidents.
- Health Canada and Transport Canada say they are examining mandatory safety requirements for lithium‑ion batteries, but proposed rules face challenges and may not directly cover vehicles regulated under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
- Toronto Fire is urging practical safety steps—use approved chargers, avoid modifying batteries, never overcharge, store batteries away from heat—and warns that rising incidents strain crews and expose firefighters to toxic off‑gassing from burning batteries.