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Jarry Park Anniversary, Summer Programming, and Rat Control Take Focus at June Council Meeting

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By Dylan Adams Lemaçon LJI Reporter

The June borough council meeting in Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension covered a wide range of issues, from upcoming summer activities to persistent public health concerns in Parc-Extension. While the council chamber was less full than usual, the agenda included several updates of local significance.

The meeting saw the borough adopt a first reading of a project tied to the future Saint-Michel community centre. Officials also announced a new exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of Jarry Park, now open at the Claude-Léveillée cultural centre. On June 17, residents will be able to attend an online session where a plan regarding Jarry Park will be unveiled. The borough’s summer programming schedule is also set to launch soon, offering residents local options for activities during the warmer months. As the mayor said, “No need to go on vacation elsewhere.”

A traffic calming plan, previously presented to residents for feedback, is moving forward. According to the mayor, “13 alleys will be secured in the coming weeks” based on citizen input. According to Councillor Mary Deros, two alleyways in Parc-Extension will have modified access under the borough’s traffic calming plan. One is located between Stuart and Wiseman avenues, and the other between Ogilvy Avenue and Saint-Roch Street. 

The entry points will be limited to pedestrians and emergency services. Cars will no longer be able to use them as shortcuts. Deros emphasized that access to backyards will remain and that the changes are intended to improve safety, particularly around nearby daycares and parks. She noted, however, that most of the alley closures are concentrated in the Villeray and François-Perrault districts.

Councillor Josué Courville offered a reminder that Father’s Day falls on June 15 this year, while Councillor Sylvain Ouellet reported on his recent trip to Milwaukee where he represented Montreal at a Great Lakes conference, emphasizing the city’s reliance on waterborne trade.

Councillor Nadine Museau Muele highlighted the 30th anniversary of Ville en Vert and upcoming celebrations for Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day.

Speaking on behalf of Parc-Extension, Councillor Mary Deros used her remarks to promote community involvement for the online session regarding the unveiling of a plan for Jarry Park, especially from local sports organizations that use the space. “We have an excellent schedule for the summer,” she added, referencing the slate of events planned in Parc-Ex.

Deros gave a status update on ongoing work in Jarry Park, expected to wrap up by early July, and reminded residents to take down temporary car shelters to avoid fines. She also raised the ongoing rat problem in Parc-Extension, noting it’s part of a wider issue throughout Montreal.

During the public question period, resident Jacques Tessier Jr. voiced concern over a neglected property in his neighborhood where a car has been parked under a temporary shelter for two years. He claimed the garage was left open and a rat was seen inside. Calling it a matter of “public safety and health,”. He pressed the council for urgent action. The mayor said it was the first she had heard of the complaint but promised to have her team follow up.

Later, resident Serge Landry raised concerns about how snow was being handled over the winter at the former Carrière Francon site. Public Works Director Marco St-Pierre responded that his team would be in touch with him soon. Another citizen submitted a question online, expressing doubt over how a recent gas leak near Rue Ogilvy was managed. The mayor acknowledged that emergencies are challenging but said the city does its best to provide displaced residents with food and shelter while decisions are made about relocation.

Returning to the rat issue, Councillor Deros asked for an update on extermination efforts. The mayor responded that more pest control contracts have been issued than ever before but noted that some residents are still feeding rats, making the job harder. Deros suggested funding a community group to educate residents door-to-door in the languages spoken locally. “The same way we gave $10,000 to Vélo Québec,” she said, “we can give that much to an organization that will educate the public.” The mayor replied that this type of work was already underway and that Ville en Vert had been hired last year to carry out similar outreach.

The meeting wrapped up after all agenda items were adopted.

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Rat trouble burrows deeper in Parc-Extension as resident’s patio is overrun

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

By Matthew Daldalian, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Angela Thomas thought she was stepping out to enjoy the summer weather. Instead, she opened the door underneath her patio to the overwhelming stench of urine and a discovery that would upend the season for her and her family.

“When I saw all the dirt and urine and smell, I just ran out. I couldn’t breathe,” said Thomas, describing the moment she uncovered torn, soiled pillows and a pile of dirt where she once kept her outdoor cushions. Beneath the stairs and underneath the patio, earth had been pushed up against the wall, suggesting something had tunneled in. “It looked like from outside, that it was pulling inside.”

What she was seeing, she would soon learn, was the work of rats burrowing from outside.

The infestation didn’t just destroy furniture. Clothes Thomas had collected to donate were ruined, soaked with urine and thrown out. “I couldn’t even put it inside in my washing machine to clean. I had to throw them away.”

Infestation

Thomas is far from alone. Across Parc-Extension, residents have reported increased sightings of rats in their yards, alleys, and even on sidewalks in broad daylight — a sign, one district councillor says, of a severe infestation.

“Every Monday, Tuesday… I get calls regarding the rats every week, nonstop,” said Parc-Extension councillor Mary Deros. “People want to go out in the back, in the front to plant, and they’re amongst rats. They’re afraid to do their BBQ. They’re afraid to let their kids go out.”

Deros, who visited Thomas’ property after she raised concerns, relayed the resident’s frustration at bearing the financial cost alone.

The situation, Deros believes, is partly due to poor enforcement around waste disposal and insufficient education on how to properly store and separate garbage.

The city had put up signs reminding residents not to leave garbage on the doors of residential complexes at certain times, but Deros criticized the move, saying they’ve had little impact. “Nobody stops to read them,” she said, adding that the signage may not be accessible or prominent enough to deter bad habits.

Extermination

The borough’s aging infrastructure and fluctuating waste policies haven’t helped. George Stappas, the longtime owner of S-D Exterminating Services Inc., said broken pipes, open garbage bins, and a three-year municipal pause on certain outdoor rat poison allowed infestations to spiral out of control.

Though the city has partially reversed the ban on some poisons in 2023—calling it a necessary response to a growing public health issue—Stappas said it’s not enough to reverse years of uncontrolled breeding.

Angela Thomas’ son, Jimmy Thomas, assessing the damage caused by the rats burrowing under the home’s patio on June 11 2025

“They haven’t died for three years,” Stappas said. “Usually, we have everything under control… but now [the rats] are three years in advance.”

He pointed to simple measures residents can take to protect their homes: backwater valves to block rats from entering via sewer lines, and smoke tests to check for pipe openings.

The Borough’s Response

In response to the growing issue, the borough said it has taken multiple steps to contain the problem. A spokesperson for Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension said the borough acts “as quickly as possible to try to eliminate the presence of rats,” using exterminators, traps, sewer maintenance, and awareness campaigns tailored to specific problem zones.

Since April 1, borough officials have carried out six “cleanliness blitzes” in high-risk sectors, including the Parc-Extension district. These involve a special patrol that inspects streets every two weeks, handing out fines to those who leave garbage out at improper times.

Officials have also focused efforts on Place de la Gare-Jean-Talon, where improperly discarded food has attracted rodents. Signs have been installed throughout the square, and contracted exterminators have placed traps across the area. The borough also said local partners like Maxi are helping maintain nearby green spaces.

The borough received 67 rat-related complaints between January 1 and June 11 of this year. While no single cause is identified, they cited construction activity, aging sewer lines, and nearby rail yards as possible triggers.

To prevent future outbreaks, property owners have been asked to inspect their private sewer systems for damage.

Neighbourhood Rat Party

Still, the problem isn’t just in the pipes. Thomas pointed to abandoned renovation materials and improperly stored garbage from nearby properties that have yet to be cleaned up. “You walk and you’re gonna see it. There’s no people to clean it,” she said.

Even when residents do their part—storing food scraps in fridges and securing garbage bins—rats continue to run yard-to-yard. “They’re having a party. It’s not just one. Three, four, five during the day—running,” said Thomas. She said she’s shared videos of the animals darting across lawns in broad daylight.

Parc-Extension resident Angela Thomas says rats are running amok in her area during an interview outside her home on June 11 2025.

Thomas and her family have begun reinforcing their patio with mesh and wooden material, sealing every gap they can find. But it’s a makeshift solution to a neighbourhood-wide issue.

With no sign the rats are going away soon, residents may be left to defend their homes one trap, one patch, one cleanup at a time.

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RATS…again!

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Park-Extension Continues Its Struggle with Persistent Rat Infestations
Dimitris Ilias
LJI Journalist

The rat problem in Park-Extension, one of Montreal’s most densely populated neighborhoods, is far from new. For years, residents have voiced concerns over the growing rodent population, yet the issue remains unresolved. Despite municipal efforts, intervention requests are on the rise, prompting frustration among locals and renewed calls for more effective action.
This issue has roots stretching back years. A 2022 article from Park-Extension News documented residents’ complaints about improper waste disposal and construction projects that disturbed rat habitats, pushing them into residential areas. Community frustration grew as visible signs of infestation, such as rats in backyards and overflowing garbage bins, became more frequent. By 2023, citizens were convening in public meetings to urge city officials to address the crisis, with many emphasizing the need for better pest control and public education.
Unintentional feeding remains a significant factor contributing to the infestation. Residents often leave food scraps outside while feeding birds or other animals, creating a steady food supply for rodents. This well-meaning behavior has exacerbated the problem, particularly in a neighborhood with high population density and limited green spaces.
Waste management, too, plays a central role. Overflowing garbage bins are a common sight in Park-Extension, attracting rats and providing them with ample food sources. Borough councilor Mary Deros, a steadfast advocate for the community, has consistently pushed for maintaining twice-weekly garbage collection. She argues that any reduction in the frequency of trash collection could lead to waste buildup, further fueling the rat population. Her advocacy underscores the importance of proactive measures in managing this persistent issue.
Compounding these challenges are the aging infrastructure and diverse housing stock in Park-Extension, which provide abundant nesting opportunities for rodents. While pest control efforts have been ramped up, many residents feel these measures are merely a band-aid, failing to address the root causes of infestation.
The fight against rats in Park-Extension is a long-standing and multifaceted challenge. Improving waste collection, enforcing stricter rules against wildlife feeding, and launching educational campaigns are essential steps toward a solution. As previous Park-Extension News articles have noted, community engagement is vital. Residents must play an active role in keeping the neighborhood clean and discouraging rodent activity.
In addition to these immediate actions, long-term solutions like infrastructure upgrades are crucial. Sealing building entry points, improving drainage, and implementing better construction practices can significantly reduce the conditions that allow rats to thrive.
Mary Deros’s continued advocacy for improved waste management demonstrates the critical role of local leaders in addressing urban challenges. Her call for sustained efforts, combined with the active participation of residents and the city, offers hope that Park-Extension can move toward a cleaner, safer, and more livable future.

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The rats are back!

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The rats are back!

Or rather, they never left…

Dimitris Ilias-LJI Journalist

Our newspaper, Park-Extension News, has frequently reported on the ongoing rat infestation issue in  Parc-Extension, underscoring its persistent nature and the community’s struggle for resolution. This problem is notably severe around the Maxi grocery store and the vicinity of the Parc metro station, where open garbage cans and discarded food have not only attracted rats but pigeons as well, further complicating the situation.

City councillor Mary Deros has voiced her frustration regarding the maintenance of cleanliness and the challenges in managing the burgeoning pest population. Despite attempts to curtail the issue through measures such as installing informational panels discouraging the feeding of wildlife, these initiatives have seen limited success.

The accumulation of waste is a pervasive issue extending beyond public spaces into residential areas. This has spurred members of the community to take action, with organizations like the Bureau d’information de Parc-Extension (BIPE) leading the charge. BIPE has been vital in organizing clean-up operations and educational workshops to enlighten both established residents and newcomers about effective waste management practices, a narrative our newspaper has consistently followed and supported through our coverage.

Acknowledging the severity of the rat infestation, the borough has taken steps like hiring a rat exterminator and actively monitoring the situation. Nevertheless, the problematic behavior of individuals who feed these animals continues to be a significant hurdle. Through our ongoing reporting, Park-Extension News aims to emphasize the critical need for community cooperation and the collective effort required to tackle this vexing issue effectively, aligning with the local government’s acknowledgment of the situation’s gravity.

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