Ontario Line construction unleashed rats into her home. But Metrolinx has not footed the full bill — and won't tell her why
Star investigation
Rat complaints are surging. Metrolinx says its 'committed to working with communities to mitigate this issue.'
Updated 2 hrs ago
June 8, 2025
6 min read
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By Emma McIntoshInvestigative Reporter, and Andy TakagiTransportation Reporter
For all the horrors the rats wrought upon Janice La Chapelle's home, she was at least comforted by Metrolinx's promise to pay her back for the quickly mounting exterminator bills.
The rodents started showing up in her Leslieville house in 2020, soon after crews began work across the street for the construction of the Ontario Line. Displaced from their nests by the drilling near Dundas St. E and Logan Ave., they burrowed and chewed throughout the retiree's house: through the concrete floors in her basement, then into her walls and plumbing, eventually overflowing her toilet with rat feces that smelled like rotting food.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
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Emma McIntosh is a reporter on the Toronto Star's investigative team. Reach her via email: emcintosh@thestar.ca
Andy Takagi is the transportation reporter for the Star. Reach him via email: atakagi@thestar.ca
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I went to rat school in New York City to see if Toronto had any hope of beating back its rodent invasion. Here's what I learned
Ontario animal welfare agents seized dogs they said were in distress. Then the animals started to die on the government's watch
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Ontario Line construction unleashed rats into her home. But Metrolinx has not footed the full bill — and won't tell her why
Star investigation Rat complaints are surging. Metrolinx says its 'committed to working with communities to mitigate this issue.' Updated 2 hrs ago June 8, 2025 6 min read Save By Emma McIntoshInvestigative Reporter, and Andy TakagiTransportation Reporter For all the horrors the rats wrought upon Janice La Chapelle's home, she was at least comforted by Metrolinx's promise to pay her back for the quickly mounting exterminator bills. The rodents started showing up in her Leslieville house in 2020, soon after crews began work across the street for the construction of the Ontario Line. Displaced from their nests by the drilling near Dundas St. E and Logan Ave., they burrowed and chewed throughout the retiree's house: through the concrete floors in her basement, then into her walls and plumbing, eventually overflowing her toilet with rat feces that smelled like rotting food. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW EM Emma McIntosh is a reporter on the Toronto Star's investigative team. Reach her via email: emcintosh@ Andy Takagi is the transportation reporter for the Star. Reach him via email: atakagi@ Related Stories The digging is just beginning, but the Ontario Line is already remaking Toronto. We travelled its entire 15.6-kilometre length to find out how I went to rat school in New York City to see if Toronto had any hope of beating back its rodent invasion. Here's what I learned Ontario animal welfare agents seized dogs they said were in distress. Then the animals started to die on the government's watch Report an error Journalistic Standards About The Star More from The Star & partners
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