Cineplex is declaring Toronto's Scotiabank Theatre free of bedbugs after an investigation spurred by organizers of the Toronto International Film Festival.
On Monday evening, a theatre patron tweeted about a friend suffering from suspected bites on his "back, bottom, thighs" after watching a film at the theatre. Later that night, festival co-director Cameron Bailey announced on Twitter that festival organizers and Cineplex were "planning for an itch-free" TIFF and that Cineplex was investigating the claim.
A thorough overnight investigation by contractors Abell Pest Control Inc., which included a specially trained sniffing dog and a detailed visual inspection, found no evidence of bedbugs in the theatre.
Pat Marshall, vice president communications and investor relations for Cineplex, told CTV.ca on Monday morning the chain "took this claim very seriously and acted immediately,"
Marshall added that media coverage of a recent bedbug outbreak in two theatres in Manhattan may have fuelled the rumours of an infestation at the theatre in Toronto.
The Toronto International Film Festival runs Sept. 9 to 19.
