Ontario steps up battle against bed bugs

NEWS RELEASES

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND LONG-TERM CARE

NEW DEOCRATIC PARTY OF ONTARIO

CHERI DINOVO, MPP AND MICHAEL PRUE, MPP

************************* Supporting the fight against bed bugs McGuinty government invests in local public health unit programs

Ontario is supporting local initiatives that are aimed at preventing and managing infestations of bed bugs.

The province's 36 public health units will be able to apply for funding to support bed bug-related programs that emphasize coordination with other local services, education and awareness and/or provide supports to vulnerable populations.

A total of $5 million will be invested by the province to support these programs.

In addition, a new public education website featuring tools has been launched to give Ontarians a one-stop-shop to get accurate information and simple, easy-to-use tips to combat infestations.

The province is also distributing a guide, An Integrated Pest Management Program for Managing Bed Bugs, to stakeholders on how to identify bed bug infestations, perform inspections properly, prepare living areas for treatment and carry out pest treatments.

The province and the public health units are also working to develop better ways to assess bed bug activity and infestations.

Today's announcement responds to recommendations from a Bed Bug Summit hosted by MPP Mike Colle on September 29, 2010.

Quick facts Toronto Public Health has seen a dramatic increase in infestation reports - from 46 in 2003 to more than 1,500 in 2009.

Adult bed bugs are 3mm to 5mm in size - about the size and shape of an apple seed - and a reddish brown color.

Learn more Bed bug initiatives.

For information on bed bugs and how to prevent or get rid of them, go here.

************************* Liberal bed bug strategy lacks teeth: NDP MPPs

QUEEN’S PARK - The McGuinty government’s strategy to prevent bed bugs falls far short in ensuring effective action by landlords to deal with bed bug infestations in the first place, say NDP MPPs Cheri DiNovo and Michael Prue.

“Landlords should be required to take action to deal with bedbugs in their properties,” said DiNovo, the NDP’s Housing critic.

“The government’s supposed strategy does nothing to ensure that they do.”

In the fall, DiNovo introduced a landlord licensing bill requiring landlords to address outstanding repairs and health threats - including bed bugs - to maintain their license.

“In San Francisco landlords have to take action within three days of receiving a bed bug complaint - and provide tenants with temporary lodging while treatment is underway,” said DiNovo.

“There is nothing in this strategy requiring landlords to take action.”

Prue, the NDP’s Municipal Affairs critic, also noted that ridding apartment buildings of bed begs can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars per unit, and that spreading funding across 36 Ontario health units will provide minimal support to low-income tenants.

There were infestations in 1,500 buildings in Toronto alone in 2009, he noted.

“The government has admitted that a comprehensive approach is needed to properly address bed bugs, including training, legislation, funding and education,” said Prue.

“Putting up another website simply doesn’t cut it.”

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