A new study found a higher-than-average risk of death during extreme heat event days in the majority of Canada's largest cities over two decades, Statistics Canada said on Wednesday.

Using data from the Canadian Vital Statistics Database and Environment and Climate Change Canada, extreme heat events during the period from 2000 to 2020 were found to be associated with approximately 670 excess non-accidental deaths and 230 excess deaths due to cardiovascular and respiratory causes, the national statistical agency said.

According to the agency, excess deaths were largely experienced by persons aged 65 years and older.

Higher mortality risks during extreme heat events occurred in cities with larger proportions of rental households and fewer extreme heat events, the agency said.

Residents there may be less likely to have adaptation resources and/or be less acclimatized to heat, the agency added.

Environment and Climate Change Canada defined extreme heat events as two or more days with unusually high temperatures.

(Cover: Tourists wear sun hats and carry umbrellas as they visit Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, June 18, 2024. /CFP)