Toronto the good is looking more like Toronto the ugly as it's become overrun with unsightly weed patches.
Thistles and dandelions are sprouting on city sidewalks, front lawns and in local parks. The heavy rainfall that has fallen this summer has made it difficult for city staff to keep up with the clean-up schedule.
"I think it is pretty disgusting," one man told CTV Toronto. "I mean we attract a lot of people from all over the world and this is the impression they get, seeing weeds all over the place."
However, it's not only Mother Nature that's getting in the way. Mother Earth is also to blame as the city decided to stop using pesticides four years ago as a means to control the weeds.
"We've tried to step up our efforts," said Gary Welsh, the city's director of transportation sevices. "Part of the problem of why there are so many weeds is because we've restricted pesticide use and that has created an environment where weeds can grow and grow and grow."
Welsh said the city might have to expand its clean-up budget next year if crews are to keep up with the demand of the job.
In the meantime, Toronto Mayor David Miller said people can call the city with a complaint about a weed patch and that a city crew will come and clean it up.
"We want to hear from people," he said. "If there's a problem, we'll take care of it."
With a report from CTV Toronto's Austin Delaney
