The corner store on rue Saint-Laurent has a new unwelcome visitor — one with a long tail and sharp teeth. Shopkeeper Marie Tremblay sighs as she points to gnawed packages and droppings behind her counter. “Three times this month. I’ve been here fifteen years and never saw anything like this before,” she says, reaching for her phone to lodge yet another complaint with the city.
Tremblay isn’t alone. Rat complaints across Montreal have jumped nearly 34% since last year, according to municipal service records obtained through access to information requests. The surge has residents and business owners questioning whether the city’s rodent control measures are keeping pace with the growing problem.
“We’ve documented over 6,200 rat-related complaints in the first seven months of 2024,” confirms Danielle Pilette, urban affairs analyst at UQAM. “That’s already surpassing the total for all of 2023, and we still have months to go.”
The rising numbers tell only part of the story. Walking through the Plateau-Mont-Royal district on a Tuesday morning reveals overflowing garbage bins, construction debris, and the occasional rodent scurrying between buildings — scenes becoming increasingly common across multiple boroughs.
City councillor Dominique Ollivier acknowledged the growing concern during last week’s council meeting but stopped short of declaring it a crisis. “We’re allocating resources based on complaint density and implementing targeted baiting programs in high-activity zones,” Ollivier stated, citing a $1.2 million rodent management budget for 2024.
Critics point out this figure represents only a modest 5% increase from previous years, despite the dramatic rise in complaints. Borough-level officials argue the budget doesn’t match the scale of the problem.
Construction and climate factors appear to be driving the surge. The ongoing REM light rail expansion, water main replacements, and housing development have disturbed established rat colonies, forcing them into new territories. Milder winters have also allowed rat populations to reproduce with fewer natural interruptions.
“Rats are incredibly adaptable,” explains Dr. Martin Charest, urban wildlife specialist at McGill University. “When we disrupt their habitats through construction, they don’t disappear — they relocate to nearby food sources, often residential areas or businesses.”
The health implications concern public health officials. Montreal Public Health‘s latest community bulletin warns that rats can spread various diseases, including leptospirosis and salmonellosis, through their urine and droppings.
Resident-led initiatives have emerged in response to perceived inadequacies in the city’s approach. In Villeray, a neighborhood association has organized weekend cleanup brigades and distributes information on proper garbage disposal. “We can’t wait for city hall to solve this,” says organizer Jean-Philippe Morency. “Our neighborhood needs immediate solutions.”
Urban planners suggest the rat problem reflects broader infrastructure challenges. “When we allow garbage to accumulate, when sewers aren’t regularly maintained, when construction sites aren’t properly managed — we’re essentially rolling out the welcome mat for rodents,” notes urban planner Sophie Tremblay of Concordia University.
Montreal’s experience mirrors trends in other North American cities. Toronto reported a 32% increase in rodent complaints during major transit construction projects, while Chicago implemented an aggressive $10 million rat reduction program after similar surges.
Opposition councillor Marvin Rotrand believes the administration isn’t being transparent about the full extent of the problem. “The data we’re seeing is just from those who formally complain,” he argues. “Many residents have given up reporting because they see little response.”
The city’s current approach emphasizes reactive measures — responding to complaints with localized baiting and trapping. However, experts advocate for a more comprehensive strategy involving improved waste management, construction site protocols, and public education.
“We know what works,” says Charest. “Cities that successfully manage rodent populations use data to predict hotspots, enforce construction mitigation requirements, and modernize waste collection. Montreal needs all three approaches working together.”
For small business owners like Tremblay, the issue has financial implications. “I’ve spent over $800 on private pest control this year alone,” she explains, gesturing toward sealed containers now holding all her inventory. “That’s money I hadn’t budgeted for.”
Meanwhile, community forums and social media groups dedicated to rat sightings continue to grow. The “Montreal Rat Watch” Facebook group has gained over 3,000 members since January, with daily posts documenting encounters across the island.
As residents await more decisive action, the debate continues about whether Montreal’s rat problem represents a temporary spike or a new urban reality requiring fundamental changes to city management practices.
“Either way,” says Tremblay, setting another trap behind her store, “we can’t continue like this. Something has to change.”
