Latest news with #AlejandraBravo
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Rats, beware: Toronto outlines new plan to attack its growing rodent problem
Toronto could soon see a plan to address the growing number of rats in the city as major construction projects and climate change contribute to its pest problem. Late last month, Toronto's city manager Paul Johnson outlined a rat response plan that would focus on environmental changes to minimize the conditions for rats to thrive in. Johnson will present the plan the economic and community development committee at its next meeting on July 9. Coun. Alejandra Bravo, who was one of the councillors to ask the city to create the strategy, says she's been hearing from families who live near construction sites and have been impacted by the rodents. "We got a call from a mother who lives in an apartment close to a construction area. Her daughter was awoken in the middle of the night as a rat jumped onto her bed in her bedroom," Bravo said at a news conference Wednesday. Can you imagine what that does to a family?" Last year, the city's infrastructure committee directed the city manager and medical officer of health to report back with a rat response plan by this summer. If approved, the plan will include several actions, such as a response coordination team and a response enforcement table to lead work within the public service through inspection and enforcement blitzes. WATCH | How climate change is contributing to Toronto's growing rat population: As part of the new plan the city says it will need an associate director and an project coordinator starting in 2026, at a price tag of $351,000. It says an additional $150,000 will be required annually to support public communication and staff training related to rat management. In January, a study from a group of global rodent and public health scientists found growing rat populations are correlated with rising temperatures driven by global warming. Last summer, councillors asked Johnson to consult with other North American cities on their approach to rat reduction. Bravo said Wednesday the new plan would bring Toronto in line with other major North American municipalities that have a coordinated approach to managing rats, like New York City and Chicago. She says some of the complaints she's received from businesses and tenants stress that the cost of getting rid of the rats is also a problem. "It's really expensive to get rid of rats in a business or in a home. Not everybody has access to that, but the toll on people, the mental health toll, the fear, is all too real," said Bravo. This isn't the first time city council has tried to tackle Toronto's rat problem. In 2018, former councillor Ana Bailão spearheaded a push for staff to create a rat reduction plan. That was adopted by council, but work on the report was scuttled by resource constraints during the pandemic.
CBC
2 days ago
- General
- CBC
Rats, beware: Toronto outlines new plan to attack its growing rodent problem
Social Sharing Toronto could soon see a plan to address the growing number of rats in the city as major construction projects and climate change contribute to its pest problem. Late last month, Toronto's city manager Paul Johnson outlined a rat response plan that would focus on environmental changes to minimize the conditions for rats to thrive in. Johnson will present the plan the economic and community development committee at its next meeting on July 9. Coun. Alejandra Bravo, who was one of the councillors to ask the city to create the strategy, says she's been hearing from families who live near construction sites and have been impacted by the rodents. "We got a call from a mother who lives in an apartment close to a construction area. Her daughter was awoken in the middle of the night as a rat jumped onto her bed in her bedroom," Bravo said at a news conference Wednesday. Can you imagine what that does to a family?" Last year, the city's infrastructure committee directed the city manager and medical officer of health to report back with a rat response plan by this summer. If approved, the plan will include several actions, such as a response coordination team and a response enforcement table to lead work within the public service through inspection and enforcement blitzes. Rats are thriving in Toronto. Climate change is making it worse, study suggests 5 months ago Duration 2:23 As part of the new plan the city says it will need an associate director and an project coordinator starting in 2026, at a price tag of $351,000. It says an additional $150,000 will be required annually to support public communication and staff training related to rat management. Global warming impacting growing rat populations: study In January, a study from a group of global rodent and public health scientists found growing rat populations are correlated with rising temperatures driven by global warming. Last summer, councillors asked Johnson to consult with other North American cities on their approach to rat reduction. Bravo said Wednesday the new plan would bring Toronto in line with other major North American municipalities that have a coordinated approach to managing rats, like New York City and Chicago. She says some of the complaints she's received from businesses and tenants stress that the cost of getting rid of the rats is also a problem. "It's really expensive to get rid of rats in a business or in a home. Not everybody has access to that, but the toll on people, the mental health toll, the fear, is all too real," said Bravo. This isn't the first time city council has tried to tackle Toronto's rat problem. In 2018, former councillor Ana Bailão spearheaded a push for staff to create a rat reduction plan. That was adopted by council, but work on the report was scuttled by resource constraints during the pandemic.
Global News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Controversial ‘bubble zone' bylaw approved after Toronto councilors voted 16-9
Toronto councillors passed a controversial motion to restrict protests around places of worship, schools and daycares. The 'bubble zone' bylaw was approved 16-9 after a lengthy council meeting Thursday afternoon. Critics say the bylaw, which will go into effect on July 2, is unnecessary and restricts the rights to peaceful gatherings. Speaking during the council meeting, Coun. Alejandra Bravo said protests are a 'useful and important' form of a free speech that needs to be protected, and that the move to restrict them could trigger challenges to Charter rights in court. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Supporters of the motion, however, argue it provides the tool the city needs to support vulnerable communities. Coun. Lily Cheng says the 'boundary' created by the bylaw aims 'to protect people, especially vulnerable people, at their most sacred and personal moments' and that the goal is not to 'silence opinion.' Story continues below advertisement The bylaw allows schools, childcare centres and places of worship to request the city restrict protest within a 50-metre radius around the property. It has the backing of some faith leaders who have supported the bubble zone idea as a way to ensure worshippers can gather without intimidation.
Hamilton Spectator
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Toronto councilors voted 16-9 approving controversial 'bubble zone' bylaw
Toronto councillors passed a controversial motion to restrict protests around places of worship, schools and daycares. The 'bubble zone' bylaw was approved 16-9 after a lengthy council meeting Thursday afternoon. Critics say the bylaw, which will go into effect on July 2, is unnecessary and restricts the rights to peaceful gatherings. Speaking during the council meeting, Coun. Alejandra Bravo said protests are a 'useful and important' form of a free speech that needs to be protected, and that the move to restrict them could trigger challenges to Charter rights in court. Supporters of the motion, however, argue it provides the tool the city needs to support vulnerable communities. Coun. Lily Cheng says the 'boundary' created by the bylaw aims 'to protect people, especially vulnerable people, at their most sacred and personal moments' and that the goal is not to 'silence opinion.' The bylaw allows schools, childcare centres and places of worship to request the city restrict protest within a 50-metre radius around the property. It has the backing of some faith leaders who have supported the bubble zone idea as a way to ensure worshippers can gather without intimidation. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Toronto councilors voted 16-9 approving controversial 'bubble zone' bylaw
Toronto councillors passed a controversial motion to restrict protests around places of worship, schools and daycares. The 'bubble zone' bylaw was approved 16-9 after a lengthy council meeting Thursday afternoon. Critics say the bylaw, which will go into effect on July 2, is unnecessary and restricts the rights to peaceful gatherings. Speaking during the council meeting, Coun. Alejandra Bravo said protests are a 'useful and important' form of a free speech that needs to be protected, and that the move to restrict them could trigger challenges to Charter rights in court. Supporters of the motion, however, argue it provides the tool the city needs to support vulnerable communities. Coun. Lily Cheng says the 'boundary' created by the bylaw aims 'to protect people, especially vulnerable people, at their most sacred and personal moments' and that the goal is not to 'silence opinion.' The bylaw allows schools, childcare centres and places of worship to request the city restrict protest within a 50-metre radius around the property. It has the backing of some faith leaders who have supported the bubble zone idea as a way to ensure worshippers can gather without intimidation. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2025.
