Giant Destroyer on hold as city waits for provincial approval to attack squirrel problem

The City of Winnipeg has yet to secure provincial approval for its plan to treat ground squirrels with a lethal pesticide, creating a delay in the program amid concerns over animal rights.
The city initially planned to start using a sulfur gas product known as 'Giant Destroyer' to euthanize the animals at eight parks and community centre fields on Tuesday.
Without treatment, city officials have warned ground squirrels can create deep dips and holes in athletic fields and green spaces where people and pets can trip and hurt themselves.
COLIN CORNEAU / BRANDON SUN FILES
A March public service report notes the city used poison to control ground squirrels in the past before switching to sulfur gas and then carbon monoxide.
There is no clear date for the program to begin, a city spokesman confirmed.
'The program is paused while we await provincial approval of our pesticide use permit. That will determine when the program can proceed,' said Kalen Qually, in an email.
'The ground squirrel populations in some athletic fields are creating significant damage and safety concerns for the public. This is the interim management strategy while alternative methods are researched,' added Qually.
Kaitlyn Mitchell, director of legal advocacy for the group Animal Justice, accused the city of failing to give sufficient details in a public notice about the ground squirrel program.
That notice neglected to say exactly where the gas would be used, key information for residents who live next to the sites and might want to object to the program, Mitchell said.
'Because they haven't even listed where it's going to be used, if I was a neighbouring property owner, I might not even know that it's being used next to my property, let alone that I have the right to object,' she said.
A city report posted online in March listed the affected parks as Charleswood Place, Beryl Watts Park/Vince Leah Community Centre, Fairgrove Bay Park, Woodsworth Park, Shaughnessy Park, Weston Memorial Community Centre, Theodore Niitzhotay Fontaine Park and St. James Memorial Sports Park.
While those sites have also been listed in some news stories, people who read only the public notice may not have been aware of the locations, said Mitchell.
She also objects to the program itself, arguing a trap-and-release strategy that started in March, before new offspring were born, would have been more effective and humane.
'I certainly don't advocate for any lethal methods but if you are going to use a lethal method, then at the very least we should be looking at methods that cause immediate death and that is not the case with Giant Destroyer. My understanding is animals can take up to an hour or even more to die. It's really horrific,' she said.
Danae Tonge, an organizer with Manitoba Animal Save, also objects to the use of sulfur gas on ground squirrels, which she fears would put predators, pets and people at risk of exposure to the gas, too.
'It really is the cruellest way we could possibly deal with this situation,' said Tonge.
She said a trap-and-release program or other alternative, such as using drugs to prevent the animals from producing offspring, are better options.
The chairwoman of council's community services committee said some residents objected to the program, which led the province to review the permit application.
'My understanding is several residents have appealed and the province required the City of Winnipeg to explain why we're (using) the Giant Destroyer,' said Coun. Vivian Santos (Point Douglas). 'There was obviously a delay because the province hasn't issued a permit yet.
Mayor Scott Gillingham said city staff carefully considered all options for ground squirrel control and remain open-minded to new methods, though they will use sulfur gas this season.
'Our fields need to be maintained in a condition where people can use them and use them safely … When there are holes in the fields, they're, frankly, dangerous. You've got kids or adults that are running, and you can trip in those holes and get injured. And, so, we need to make sure that we're doing all we can to maintain the surfaces of our fields and parks for our users,' said Gillingham.
The mayor said he hopes the permit issue is settled soon, so work to maintain sports fields isn't delayed.
In a brief emailed statement, a provincial spokeswoman confirmed the permit is still being assessed.
'The Province of Manitoba required further information from the City of Winnipeg in order to process the application. That documentation has now been received. The application is still under review,' the statement said.
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A March public service report notes the city used poison to control ground squirrels in the past before switching to sulfur gas and then carbon monoxide. All treatment was paused in 2024, due to concerns that carbon monoxide machines were not safe for employees.
Ground squirrels have since caused extensive damage to fields, creating a safety hazard, the report states.
The public service is exploring other control methods for the future, such as carbon dioxide, it notes.
joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca
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Joyanne PursagaReporter
Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne.
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