06 October 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release - Vancouver Liberals Will Tackle Rat Problems With Blue Ribbon Task Force
Kareem Allam, Vancouver Liberals will address Vancouver’s worsening rat problems by creating blue-ribbon task force on day one
VANCOUVER, BC - Mayoral Candidate Kareem Allam and the Vancouver Liberals have affirmed their intention to tackle Vancouver’s rat problem on day one by initiating the creation of a blue-ribbon task force to address the issue.
“In Vancouver, rats create issues and risks concerning waste and garbage management, and public health. The problem is only getting worse, and that’s not acceptable. Understanding rat populations and taking meaningful mitigation steps will help with Vancouver’s disease control and help minimize burdens placed on our hospitals and clinics,” stated Allam.
Rats make waste management more difficult by getting into garbage, and strewing it about while they scavenge for food. They also roam our sewers and risk bringing contamination to our streets or even into fresh food supplies. This leads to a significant public health risk as rats contribute to the spread of leptospirosis, hantavirus, salmonella, and rat bite fever.
“Our blue ribbon task force is going to tackle the problem the right way. We’re going to make sure that we understand the scale of the problem, how rates of rats are tracked, and what it takes to meaningfully improve the situation. We’ll speak with city officials, rat research organizations, and review how other cities have taken on the same issue successfully to identify and deploy best practices in Vancouver,” explained Allam.
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Media Assets:
Video (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0IK4u5RTBWg
Kareem Allam is available to speak with members of the media.
Media Contact:
Vancouver Liberals Communications