Province kills city's sulfur gas ground squirrel extermination plans
The City of Winnipeg won't be allowed to carry out its controversial plan to use a lethal pesticide on ground squirrels.
In a Thursday letter to Mayor Scott Gillingham, Manitoba Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes advised the city it won't receive a permit to use the sulfur gas product known as 'Giant Destroyer.'
'I write to encourage the City of Winnipeg to explore alternative options that prioritize the safety and well-being of Manitobans… I recognize the challenge involved in balancing the safety of park visitors, environmental protection and public access,' wrote Moyes.
A provincial spokesperson said the minister wasn't available for an interview Friday, due to the province's ongoing response to wildfires.
In an email, Moyes said the decision followed a 'careful and thorough review.'
'The department consulted with experts in health, environment, and wildlife to inform the decision not to proceed with the application. Additionally, the department received nearly 6,300 public submissions expressing concern about the proposed control program,' the statement said.
Moyes also 'strongly' recommended the city devote some of its provincial funding to fill in ground squirrel holes.
The city initially planned to start using Giant Destroyer to euthanize animals at eight parks and community centre fields on May 20, but the program was delayed due to the wait for a provincial permit. (Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun files)
The city initially planned to start using Giant Destroyer to euthanize animals at eight parks and community centre fields on May 20, but the program was delayed due to the wait for a provincial permit. (Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun files)
The city initially planned to start using Giant Destroyer to euthanize animals at eight parks and community centre fields on May 20 but the program was delayed due to the wait for a provincial permit.
If no treatment occurs, city officials have warned ground squirrels can create deep holes in athletic fields where people and pets can trip and hurt themselves.
A request to interview a city official was not granted Friday.
In an email, a spokeswoman said the province noted public concern and 'insufficient consideration of alternative methods' as reasons for denying the permit.
'We do not have any other feasible options… The public safety risk of deep, exposed holes in parks and playing fields is already significant and will only grow without control,' wrote spokeswoman Julie Horbal Dooley.
By contrast, an opponent of the treatment plan welcomed the province's choice.
'I'm actually very pleased with that decision … First and foremost, the proposed method of euthanasia (was) neither humane nor efficient,' said James Hare, a University of Manitoba professor emeritus in biological sciences.
Hare said the sulfur gas poisoning would cause a painful death.
'If you place these gas bombs in a burrowing system… you are going to have individual (animals) that are going to be exposed, in many cases, minimally to that gas, so they will suffer but not die. You will also have individuals who are exposed to even a moderate concentration… who will suffer an incredibly painful and slow death, sometimes taking over an hour,' he said.
Hare said trapping ground squirrels between mid-March and early April, when adults are emerging from hibernation and have not yet started breeding, would offer much more effective population control. The animals could then be given an anesthetic and euthanized with a fast-acting drug, he said.
Hare said the city's concern with the hazard posed by ground squirrel holes is valid, though he expects the level of field damage has already reached its peak for this year.
'I understand, begrudgingly, how ground squirrels do have to be controlled. But if you're going to do it, do it right,' he said.
Mayor Scott Gillingham said Thursday he believes some treatment is needed to protect people using city sports fields. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun files)
Mayor Scott Gillingham said Thursday he believes some treatment is needed to protect people using city sports fields. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun files)
Mayor Scott Gillingham said Thursday he believes some treatment is needed to protect people using city sports fields.
'Right now, when you've got a soccer field or a baseball diamond that's riddled with gopher holes, it's dangerous for everyone that's using it,' he said.
'I, for one, am open to any solution that can assist us in getting rid of these ground squirrels so that we can make our fields playable again.'
The mayor expressed concern about the province's rejection of the permit on Friday.
'I'm disappointed in this decision. These sports fields are heavily used and keeping them in safe condition for kids and adults should be a priority,' he said in a written statement.
The city had planned to use the pesticide at Charleswood Place, Beryl Watts Park/Vince Leah Community Centre, Fairgrove Bay Park, Woodsworth Park, Shaughnessy Park, Weston Memorial Community Centre, Theodore Niitzhotay Fontaine Park and St. James Memorial Sports Park.
The decision came after mounting opposition directed at city hall, where protesters gathered Thursday morning.
'For the ground squirrels, specifically, it's a very cruel method of getting rid of them. They die a very slow, agonizing death … And then (there are) also the broader (affects) on non-target species (and) wildlife,' said Danae Tonge, an organizer with Manitoba Animal Save.
Those concerns include putting predators, pets and people at risk of exposure to sulfur gas, she said.
joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca
X: @joyanne_pursaga
Joyanne PursagaReporter
Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne.
Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Letters, June 2
Opinion Re: New measles exposure sites in Winkler, Winnipeg clinics, church (May 29) Every few days brings news of yet more measles cases in Manitoba. So you would think that our provincial government would do everything possible to protect the public, right? Not even close. In Manitoba, pharmacists cannot administer the same publicly funded MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine that is available to MDs. An MMR booster from a pharmacist still requires a prescription and payment (about $75). Titre testing, which helps to gauge the need for MMR boosters in some cases, is also not available without a requisition. Thousands of Manitobans do not visit MDs or nurse-run clinics, whether because of physical or geographic inaccessibility; lack of transportation; appointment unavailability; past medical trauma; lack of in-clinic COVID-19 precautions; experiences of racism, sexism, ableism, fatphobia, or other forms of systemic bias that pervade the health-care system. This situation is completely outrageous, and is already leading to preventable disease spread, and, potentially, to avoidable deaths. The province needs to step in immediately to ensure the public has fully covered, 'physician-free' access to the tools we need to protect ourselves. Kristen Hardy Winnipeg Re: NDP, Tories spar over free trade bill (May 30) Why are our politicians continuing to play their silly games when Canada's economy and sovereignty hangs over our heads? The NDP want to get the free trade bill passed so that we can open our interprovincial borders to trade. The Tories aren't making this easy, not that I would expect them to, just to play politics. The political climate in our country is very fragile, especially considering what and who is observing this from south of the border. Come on you guys! Start acting like adults! We all need to be working together on this for the sake of our country! I expected more from PC Leader Obby Khan. He is not thinking of the greater good. Let's all unite and work together! There will be plenty of time to play your political games after. Colleen Henzel Winnipeg Re: Wildfires force 'largest evacuation' (May 29) So some 'Never Going To Be In Mensa' person decides that it's a good call to fly a drone and interfere with fire fighting efforts? A drone shot I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting to see is one of the perpetrators being hauled into court to explain themselves. When they do decide to post this despicable act, (and they will) I hope the authorities are standing by to take them down. Ian Shanley Winnipeg I'm no expert on fixing our roads but something needs fixing! The fact that commuters have to get stuck in traffic in huge long lineups year after year when construction season hits is a type of torture. We see the barricades go up and silently groan to ourselves and we know this is going to go on for weeks and possibly months. When we finally drive past these zones, often there is nothing happening. The workers aren't there. Maybe it's the day they are at another construction site, or maybe they have completed their shift. Having lived in other cities, I didn't see this happening as much. I know they don't have our severe winters, but they somehow handle road construction more effectively. Those cities have crews working 24-7 until the job is complete. They don't shut down all the roads at the same time. They seem to work on one road at a time. When that job is done, they move on to the next job. Winnipeg can do better. Why do we keep doing the same thing over and over and expect different results? It is a type of insanity. Mary Page Winnipeg I know the potholes all over our city seem to get worse year after year. But has anyone gone to Brookside Cemetery lately for someone's interment or to vist a loved one they have lost? The roads at Brookside Cemetery are disgraceful and need to be looked at and fixed. This is the largest cemetery in Western Canada and has one of the largest fields of honour for veterans who have lost their lives for us for world peace. I think the City of Winnipeg should have a good look at the road situation there and do something about it! Sandra Coutu Winnipeg On May 24, Doors Open Winnipeg offered a very cool opportunity to explore 17 Wing at CFB Winnipeg, an experience that left me feeling very positive about the Canadian Armed Forces. I met personnel who exemplified excellence — well-trained, enthusiastic, and deeply loyal members of the Canadian military and our city. I think that you would be hard pressed to meet a more deeply proud group of Canadians. These dedicated men and women graciously welcomed a large and diverse crowd of curious Winnipeggers, eager to learn about this important aspect of our nation's military. They spoke of highlights and special capabilities of 17 Wing with personal insights, reiterating a sense of connection and understanding between the military and the Canadian public. One standout during our visit was a master corporal who served as our tour bus guide. I wish I could remember his name in order to acknowledge his dedication, and his knowledge of 17 Wing's history of accomplishment. His leadership and passion were evident, embodying what it means to be a proud member of the Canadian Armed Forces. His enthusiasm not only informed, but also inspired, reinforcing the importance of their commitment to our country. Among the many tour highlights was a look at the C-130 Hercules that is now providing life-saving capacity as thousands of Manitobans are being airlifted from the northern wildfires. Overall, the day was not just a tour; it was a celebration of community, dedication, and the vital role that the Canadian military plays in the fabric of our society. Cliff J. Greenhalgh Winnipeg Re: Rivers of optimism (May 24) Our rivers of yesteryear provided a means of transportation, a source of food, and clean water to drink. Today, for the most part, the rivers and waterways are regarded as handy and inexpensive open-air sewers, some place that we can conveniently dump leftovers and our sewage. Inconvenient as it may be, this is the question, we should all be asking: is our present government — and/or a future government — prepared to responsibly accept and seriously deal with the truth? The water sources in our province are being victimized. The truth cannot be ignored any longer. Or will they just shamefully continue with counterproductive actions and make statements of blaming unexpected weather and equipment failures? John Fefchak Virden As a resident of Winnipeg who has used the ambulance service on occasion, I would like to address a problem in their fee structure for their service. I am luckily in a position to pay the fee due to my health-care plan and pension. However, individuals who are either on social assistance or employment insurance are usually not in a position to suddenly have to pay the fee. Those individuals will have to decide to either find other sources to pay for rent or food or pay the bill. My fear is that they may choose not to call an ambulance and hope that they will not become more severely ill. A simple solution to this problem would be for those individuals who qualify to be given a physical or digital coupon for a free ambulance service. They could be listed on a digital list that could be accessed immediately by ambulance services so that a bill would not be issued to them. Jerome Phomin Winnipeg
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Province kills city's sulfur gas ground squirrel extermination plans
The City of Winnipeg won't be allowed to carry out its controversial plan to use a lethal pesticide on ground squirrels. In a Thursday letter to Mayor Scott Gillingham, Manitoba Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes advised the city it won't receive a permit to use the sulfur gas product known as 'Giant Destroyer.' 'I write to encourage the City of Winnipeg to explore alternative options that prioritize the safety and well-being of Manitobans… I recognize the challenge involved in balancing the safety of park visitors, environmental protection and public access,' wrote Moyes. A provincial spokesperson said the minister wasn't available for an interview Friday, due to the province's ongoing response to wildfires. In an email, Moyes said the decision followed a 'careful and thorough review.' 'The department consulted with experts in health, environment, and wildlife to inform the decision not to proceed with the application. Additionally, the department received nearly 6,300 public submissions expressing concern about the proposed control program,' the statement said. Moyes also 'strongly' recommended the city devote some of its provincial funding to fill in ground squirrel holes. The city initially planned to start using Giant Destroyer to euthanize animals at eight parks and community centre fields on May 20, but the program was delayed due to the wait for a provincial permit. (Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun files) The city initially planned to start using Giant Destroyer to euthanize animals at eight parks and community centre fields on May 20, but the program was delayed due to the wait for a provincial permit. (Matt Goerzen/The Brandon Sun files) The city initially planned to start using Giant Destroyer to euthanize animals at eight parks and community centre fields on May 20 but the program was delayed due to the wait for a provincial permit. If no treatment occurs, city officials have warned ground squirrels can create deep holes in athletic fields where people and pets can trip and hurt themselves. A request to interview a city official was not granted Friday. In an email, a spokeswoman said the province noted public concern and 'insufficient consideration of alternative methods' as reasons for denying the permit. 'We do not have any other feasible options… The public safety risk of deep, exposed holes in parks and playing fields is already significant and will only grow without control,' wrote spokeswoman Julie Horbal Dooley. By contrast, an opponent of the treatment plan welcomed the province's choice. 'I'm actually very pleased with that decision … First and foremost, the proposed method of euthanasia (was) neither humane nor efficient,' said James Hare, a University of Manitoba professor emeritus in biological sciences. Hare said the sulfur gas poisoning would cause a painful death. 'If you place these gas bombs in a burrowing system… you are going to have individual (animals) that are going to be exposed, in many cases, minimally to that gas, so they will suffer but not die. You will also have individuals who are exposed to even a moderate concentration… who will suffer an incredibly painful and slow death, sometimes taking over an hour,' he said. Hare said trapping ground squirrels between mid-March and early April, when adults are emerging from hibernation and have not yet started breeding, would offer much more effective population control. The animals could then be given an anesthetic and euthanized with a fast-acting drug, he said. Hare said the city's concern with the hazard posed by ground squirrel holes is valid, though he expects the level of field damage has already reached its peak for this year. 'I understand, begrudgingly, how ground squirrels do have to be controlled. But if you're going to do it, do it right,' he said. Mayor Scott Gillingham said Thursday he believes some treatment is needed to protect people using city sports fields. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun files) Mayor Scott Gillingham said Thursday he believes some treatment is needed to protect people using city sports fields. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun files) Mayor Scott Gillingham said Thursday he believes some treatment is needed to protect people using city sports fields. 'Right now, when you've got a soccer field or a baseball diamond that's riddled with gopher holes, it's dangerous for everyone that's using it,' he said. 'I, for one, am open to any solution that can assist us in getting rid of these ground squirrels so that we can make our fields playable again.' The mayor expressed concern about the province's rejection of the permit on Friday. 'I'm disappointed in this decision. These sports fields are heavily used and keeping them in safe condition for kids and adults should be a priority,' he said in a written statement. The city had planned to use the pesticide at Charleswood Place, Beryl Watts Park/Vince Leah Community Centre, Fairgrove Bay Park, Woodsworth Park, Shaughnessy Park, Weston Memorial Community Centre, Theodore Niitzhotay Fontaine Park and St. James Memorial Sports Park. The decision came after mounting opposition directed at city hall, where protesters gathered Thursday morning. 'For the ground squirrels, specifically, it's a very cruel method of getting rid of them. They die a very slow, agonizing death … And then (there are) also the broader (affects) on non-target species (and) wildlife,' said Danae Tonge, an organizer with Manitoba Animal Save. Those concerns include putting predators, pets and people at risk of exposure to sulfur gas, she said. X: @joyanne_pursaga Joyanne PursagaReporter Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne. Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Pragmatic — not political — Dynacare decision benefits Manitobans
Opinion The Manitoba NDP government did something this week that will surprise a few people — and probably frustrate some of its more ideological supporters. It renewed a contract with Dynacare — a private, for-profit company — to provide lab services in the province. This is the same Dynacare the NDP vocally criticized when it was in opposition. The same private provider it said would erode public health care when the former Progressive Conservative government outsourced community lab services. This week the provincial government signed a new, five-year contact with Dynacare to provide lab services in Manitoba. (Winnipeg Free Press files) But here we are in 2025, with the NDP now in charge, and instead of ripping up the contract or scrambling to repatriate services into the public system, the government has chosen to renew the deal. And it's absolutely right to do it. Political parties say a lot of things in opposition. They posture. They promise. And they condemn decisions that, in government, they often end up maintaining. Why? Because governing is harder than campaigning. What Premier Wab Kinew and Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara have done is what any responsible government should do: they looked at the data, assessed the quality of service, examined the cost and made a decision based on results — not on a rigid public-versus-private philosophy. They also added much-needed performance indicators and quality-control measures to the contract. Health-care delivery is complex. And while the idea of a purely public system may have emotional appeal — especially for NDP partisans — the reality is that modern health systems across Canada (and the world) rely on a mix of public and private partners. The question is not who delivers the service, but how well it's delivered, how much it costs and whether the public has free and timely access to it. Dynacare scores well on all of the above. Which is why the company was able to ink another five-year contract with government. Could community lab services be done through the public system, where government runs it directly? Of course. But government's analysis shows Dynacare can do it more effectively and at a lower cost. Is it perfect? Of course not. No provider is. But it has proven to be capable of providing a reliable, cost-effective service that Manitobans depend on every day. Reintegrating these services into the public system would be expensive, disruptive and could take years. It would involve new infrastructure, new hires and retraining. Meanwhile, lab services aren't something we can just hit pause on. People need blood tests, diagnostics and lab analysis every single day. The system can't afford that kind of interruption. So the NDP government had a choice: pursue a symbolic, ideologically satisfying course of action that would please the party base but risk service disruption — or stick with a provider that's already up and running, meeting benchmarks and providing good value. It chose the latter. And deserves credit for it. This is what good governance looks like. It's not always flashy. It doesn't always make for great political sound bites. But it reflects a sober, grown-up approach to managing public services. And let's be clear: this doesn't mean the NDP is abandoning its commitment to public health care. Far from it. The core of our health system — doctors, nurses, hospitals, emergency services — remains publicly funded and publicly delivered. What this decision reflects is an understanding that targeted partnerships with the private sector can, in some cases, enhance delivery, especially when public resources are stretched thin. That doesn't make the NDP any less committed to fairness, accessibility or universality in health care; it's not letting dogma get in the way of delivering results. Some will argue this is a slippery slope — that once you open the door to private involvement, it's hard to close it. But that door has been open for decades. Private labs, clinics and diagnostic services have long been part of the Canadian health-care ecosystem. The important thing is regulation, oversight and accountability. If a private provider fails to meet standards, they should be replaced, just as a public provider would be. If they hit their benchmarks and provide value for taxpayer dollars, they should be allowed to continue. Weekday Mornings A quick glance at the news for the upcoming day. That's what Manitobans expect. They want pragmatic decision-making that puts patients first, not blind loyalty to ideology. There's still a long way to go to fix Manitoba's health-care system, especially after years of cuts, consolidation and administrative upheaval. But decisions such as this — where ideology takes a back seat to evidence-based decision-making — are a sign the province is on the right path. You don't need to wear orange or blue to appreciate that. You just want the system to work. Tom BrodbeckColumnist Tom Brodbeck is a columnist with the Free Press and has over 30 years experience in print media. He joined the Free Press in 2019. Born and raised in Montreal, Tom graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and commerce. Read more about Tom. Tom provides commentary and analysis on political and related issues at the municipal, provincial and federal level. His columns are built on research and coverage of local events. The Free Press's editing team reviews Tom's columns before they are posted online or published in print – part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
