A motion headed to city council in Greater Sudbury is asking for a staff report on rate infestations that have been reported in Minnow Lake. As reported by CTV News Northern Ontario, residents in the area have posted videos on social media of rats scurrying around the neighbourhood. A pest control business in Sudbury said they have been getting a surge of calls for service from Minnow Lake residents, up to 10 to 15 calls a week. The city council motion will be heard at the Sept. 15 meeting. Moved by Mayor Paul Lefebvre, it’s “aimed at addressing rat infestations in Minnow Lake and developing a community-wide rat management and mitigation strategy.” “If approved, city staff would be directed to take immediate action in Minnow Lake, working with Public Health Sudbury & Districts, local businesses, property owners, waste management providers and other community partners to mitigate contributing factors and support affected residents,” Lefebvre said in a news release Sept. 2. Immediate measures could include enhanced inspections and monitoring, public education and outreach, waste and litter management initiatives, and reviews of municipal infrastructure and public lands to reduce conditions that attract rodents. “A number of residents in the Minnow Lake area have raised concerns about this issue,” Lefebvre said the release. “This motion is about responding to these concerns in short order, while developing a long-term strategy that can be applied across Greater Sudbury if similar challenges emerge elsewhere.” The report would examine rat activity and contributing factors in Minnow Lake, review best practices from other Ontario municipalities, recommend public education and integrated pest management measures, explore improved reporting and monitoring tools, identify partnership opportunities, and outline budget and resource implications. The motion calls on staff to take immediate action where possible, and report back recommendations no later than the second quarter of 2027. “This is a practical, proactive approach that focuses on prevention, education, and coordinated action,” Lefebvre said. “By understanding the causes and applying proven solutions, we can better protect our neighbourhoods and maintain the quality of life residents expect.”
