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Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: June 3, 2024 Report Number: PUB-010-24
Authored by: George Acorn, Director Community Services
Submitted By: Lee-Ann Reck, Deputy CAO, Public Services
Reviewed By: Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO By-law Number:
File Number:
Report Subject:
Rodenticide Use in Municipal Facilities - Update
Recommendations:
1.That Report PUB-010-24, and any related delegations or communication items, be
received;
2.That Council endorse the expansion of the rodenticide-free program to all
municipally operated recreation facilities, effective July 1, 2024;
3.That the 2025 budget include the $3,600 increased pest control costs to maintain
this expanded program;
4.Staff will work collaboratively with other departments and stakeholders to expand the
rodenticide free program;
5.That Staff develop an administrative pest management directive with the objective to
reduce the use of anti-coagulant rodenticides on all municipal properties; and
6.That all interested parties listed in Report PUB-010-24, and any delegations be
advised of Council’s decision.
Resolution Number: GG-097-24
Municipality of Clarington Page 2
Report PUB-010-24
Report Overview
This report provides an update on the rodenticide-free trial involving the removal of all
rodenticide traps at Courtice Community Complex (CCC). As a substitute method for pest
control, tin catch traps have been implemented. According to the bi-weekly assessments
conducted by our pest control service provider, no signs of rodent presence have been
detected within the premises.
Given the successful outcomes of this trial phase, staff suggest broadening the scope of the
program to encompass the rest of the municipally operated recreation facilities, starting from
July 1, 2024. This expansion would incorporate the Alan Strike Aquatic and Squash Centre,
Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex, South Courtice Arena, Bowmanville Indoor
Soccer/Lacrosse Bowl, Darlington Sports Centre, and Diane Hamre Recreation Complex.
Staff also propose the creation of a pest control management directive. This administrative
document would establish protocols for efficient pest control management, aiming for a
responsible and effective extension of the rodenticide-free initiative to all municipally owned
buildings and properties.
1. Background
1.1 At the December 18, 2023, Council Meeting report CSD-003-23 was approved
authorizing staff to initiate a rodenticide free trial at Courtice Community Complex and to
report back on the results prior to summer recess.
1.2 Staff were also to continue investigating the feasibility of a future total ban on
rodenticide use for municipal properties and to communicate with other municipalities
regarding any actions to date or future plans regarding the use of rodenticides.
2. Trial Program at Courtice Community Complex
2.1 The trial program at CCC commenced January 2, 2024. Municipal staff undertook visual
inspections of the exterior of the building to identify potential points of entry. Staff made
improvements to exterior envelope to mitigate rodent entry to the building.
2.2 With no exterior rodenticide bait traps in use, staff directed our pest control contractor to
remove all interior rodenticide traps from the building. These were replaced with tin
catch traps. Since the trial began, the contractor has conducted bi-weekly inspections of
the property. To date, no visible rodent activity has been documented.
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Report PUB-010-24
3. Rodenticide Free Program Expansion
3.1 Based on the results of the trial program at CCC, staff are recommending the expansion
of the rodenticide free program to include all remaining municipally operated recreation
facilities. Effective July 1, 2024, staff will direct the contractor to remove all interior
rodenticide bait traps at the six remaining recreation facilities. They will be replaced with
catch tin traps. There are currently no exterior rodenticide bait traps in place at these
facilities.
3.2 Data will continue to be collected and will help inform future expansion to remaining
municipally owned properties. The goal of this program is to eliminate anti-coagulant
rodenticide use responsibly and effectively at all municipal properties with the aim of
minimizing potential adverse impacts and public health risks.
3.3 In other municipalities where rodenticide bans are in place, controlled use of anti-
coagulant rodenticides or other regulated substances is permitted only under the
direction of senior staff as a last resort. This approach is included in pest management
policies, and similar guidance will be incorporated into our pest management directive.
4. Rodenticide Use in Other Municipalities
4.1 Following Council direction, Community Services staff have continued to communicate
with previously identified communities on their experience and current practices.
4.2 In December 2023, the City of Pickering adopted a pest management policy that bans
all non-essential rodenticide use on municipal properties. However, the policy allows for
the authorized use of anti-coagulant rodenticides or other regulated substances for
rodent pest management, only when expressly authorized as a last resort option by the
Director of Community Services. To date, the staff at the City of Pickering have not
identified any issues related to this approach.
4.3 Staff have recently been advised that the City of Toronto continues to investigate this
matter and have indicated work on this topic is planned to begin by end of 2024 and
continue into 2025.
4.4 Based on discussions with staff at the Township of Minden Hills it has been confirmed
that there has been no initiation of a ban on rodenticides.
4.5 Apart from the City of Pickering, staff are not aware of any initiatives being undertaken
on the ban of rodenticide use in the remaining lakeshore municipalities.
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Report PUB-010-24
5. Financial Considerations
5.1 The additional cost to expand the rodenticide free program at the remaining municipally
operated recreation facilities for the remainder of 2024 is approximately $1,800. These
costs will be incorporated into the approved 2024 operating budget and no tax levy
impact is expected. The annualized cost of approximately $3,600 for this expansion will
be included in the 2025 Budget Update as a service level change.
5.2 The cost to further expand the program to other municipal buildings will also be included
in the 2025 Budget update to recognize the additional resources that will be required to
meet the new service delivery method. These costs are currently being determined.
6. Strategic Plan
6.1 Not applicable.
7. Concurrence
7.1 This report has been reviewed by the Deputy CAO/Treasurer, Finance and Technology
who concurs with the recommendations.
8. Conclusion
8.1 It is respectfully recommended that Council approve this report and instruct staff to
finalize the expansion of the rodenticide-free program at municipally operated recreation
facilities, and to formulate an administrative pest management directive. The primary
goal of this directive will be to broaden the scope of the rodenticide -free program to
include all buildings and properties owned by the municipality.
Staff Contact: Rob Farquharson, Supervisor, Aquatic Operations 905-623-3379 ext. 2541 or
rfarquharson@clarington.net.
Attachments:
Not Applicable
Interested Parties:
Allison Hansen
Janice Freund