For a government record of the development and implementation of government policy, that is a surprisingly fun read.
It's hard to imagine a public education campaign like this working today:
> Posters and brochures on rat control were widely distributed; displays were presented at local fairs, picnics and rodeos; and talks were presented to schools, 4-H clubs, agricultural societies, Chambers of Commerce and to just about anyone who would listen.
...let alone with this level of dedication from the educators:
> At a series of meetings with members of Indigenous communities, an Alberta Agriculture staff member ate warfarin-treated rolled oats while discussing rat control and the physiological effects of warfarin. He was able to effectively demonstrate the relative safety of warfarin to concerned community members, and they were able to move forward together.
It took about a decade for the program to work, but it did work:
> The number of known rat infestations in the border area increased rapidly from one in 1950 to 573 in 1955, and the numbers varied between 394 and 637 during 1956 to 1959. After 1959, the numbers of infestations dropped dramatically (Figure 3 [showing # rat infestations in Alberta hovering between 0 and 4 since 2000]). Hence, almost 10 years passed before an accumulation of training, experience and public education brought the rat problem firmly in hand.
And finally, rat control seems to be a point of genuine public pride. Something about regularly trumpeting government success in media is weird to me, but they seem to have earned it, and it's useful to keep people appreciative and aware.
> The discovery of a rat in Edmonton or Calgary receives full media coverage. In addition, the success of the program is reported by provincial or national media three or four times a year, and this success serves as a reminder to the residents that rat control is still an important program in Alberta.
Great link!