Building a new 15-stop transit line through some of Toronto’s most densely populated neighbourhoods requires major construction activities like excavation, tunnelling and demolition, which can disturb existing rodent habitats and displace pests. To address this, we have introduced a new Ontario Line Pest Management Strategy to provide a strong, coordinated approach to managing pests throughout construction. 

This formal strategy builds on existing measures we take in partnership with our contractors and the City of Toronto. It sets out the following five core goals for pest management: 

1. Prioritizing public health through a prevention-first approach
2. Minimizing community impacts and responding quickly to issues
3. Meeting city standards for property and waste management
4. Building pest management practices into construction planning
5. Upholding transparency and accountability with clear responsibilities, responsive communication and tracking to improve practices over time

Perhaps most importantly, the strategy clarifies the expected reporting process for property owners, residents or businesses near Ontario Line construction who are experiencing issues. Anyone who suspects a pest infestation is due to neighbouring Ontario Line work is asked to first contact us. We will assess each situation individually and, if we determine a pest issue is related to our work, a third-party service provider would then visit the site to investigate the issue and provide appropriate support. 

As always, we are committed to supporting communities and businesses throughout Ontario Line construction. This includes sharing timely information about what to expect during upcoming work in notices that are delivered to those closest to construction and also posted online. We also host monthly construction liaison committees for neighbourhoods across the project, creating regular opportunities to share information and hear from communities. 

For more updates on Ontario Line construction, follow @OntarioLine, sign up for our newsletter or connect with us in person at a community office.