AHN Staff
Toronto, Ontario (AHN) - Ontario Conservative leader Tim Hudak rejected on Thursday a call for the province to intervene and issue a back-to-work legislation to end the Toronto workers' strike which had entered its 11th day.
His position is similar to that of Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty who prefers that Toronto Mayor David Miller and union leaders to forge an agreement even if it means round-the-clock negotiations.
What is worsening the health situation in the capital city of Ontario, aside from the mounting garbage bags, is the picket in some temporary dumpsites which has prevented pest control experts from crossing the line.
At the Christie Pits interim dumpsite, it is not only striking workers who are preventing Toronto residents from disposing their trash at the site, but even local residents who did want to accommodate their neighbors' garbage on their backyard.
Because of the tense situation and the health hazards it poses, Toronto Medical Officer of Health Dr. David McKeown threatened to exercise his powers under the Health Protection and Promotion Act to order the city to directly manage the temporary dumpsites which are a natural magnet for rodents and insects.
He also appealed to residents to allow the general public access to Christie Pits. McKeown stressed in a statement, "It is essential that adequate pest control measures are maintained at these sites to prevent infestation of insects or rodents which may present a potential health hazard."
Residents, though, are not convinced pesticides will protect their community from rat invasion based on a similar experience in 2002 when the vermin stayed in the city long after the garbage problem then was solved.
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