In January 2018 we had a meeting about the calèches with the neo-elect city administration, Projet Montréal.
Our collaboration with Projet Montréal started in the summer of 2015 when the mare Marilyn slipped on a metal plate. We all remember the upsetting images that went viral thanks to the readiness of a caring citizen, Tara Schultz.
2015, the mare Marilyn slipped on a metal plate / Tara Schultz.
Since then we have focused with the Party on how to put an end to this outdated and archaic business model. And we know for a fact that the “calèche ban” was not a mere electoral strategy, but a constant drive on the part of Projet Montréal within City Hall for the last 3 years.
Therefore, the conversation in January did not revolve around if the calèches should be banned, but how to achieve this goal in the best interest of the horses and the people they depend on.
One of my first suggestions was to change the laws so that electric carriages can circulate without the need of a horse, and at least one carriage driver, Jacques Prud'homme and his two horses Capucine and Cendrillon, would immediately benefit from it.
2016, Jacques Prud'homme and his electric carriage/ Angela Rossi
In fact, he had made an appearance in Old Montreal with a motorized carriage in the summer of 2016 for which he had invested over $15.000 by adding an electric motor to his horse-drawn carriage. However, due to complaints to the authorities by other carriage drivers he was instantly prohibited to circulate in the area. Of course, how dare he bring progress and evolution? Not to mention, a humane retirement to the Montreal carriage horses, many of whom have been pulling carriages for over 15 years.
This prohibition is still in force and work still needs to be done, particularly with the Quebec Automobile Insurance Company, to see if this type of project is feasible.
We are happy that Montreal is ready to accommodate electric carriages on its territory as this would allow a smooth economic transition for carriage drivers.
Meanwhile the City will unveil its strategy to ban the horse-drawn carriage industry in the upcoming weeks.
Let’s all rejoice also for Barcelona who bans its carriages starting today, June 1st!
Mirella Colalillo