The Plante administration may be one step closer to putting an end to the calèche industry after making public the long-awaited report on the city's beleaguered business and ways to improve it- a report that was commissioned by the previous Coderre administration after accidents and health mishaps involving horses.
Mayor Denis Coderre had said in May of last year that they were analyzing the report by the non-profit group Cheval Cheval but it was never made public.
The report has about a dozen recommendations including costly projects such as new central stable in Old Montreal, an equestrian Poney Club promoting the industry to
be located at Angrignon Park as well as a museum.
Councillor Craig Sauvé responsible for animal welfare told this morning's executive committee meeting he recommends the city not follow these recommendations which would cost as much as $20-million.
The report cites specialists who say that the horses' well-being isn't threatened and that their care is respectful and ethical.
It does point out areas to be improved such as the quality of the service, the stables and calèche stands, and the management of the service. It recommends handing over part of the administration to a non-profit organization.
The report also refers to specialists who reject calls to get rid of the industry saying it's an important part of the city's heritage.
SPCA spokesperson Alanna Devine said that's a ridiculous statement.
"I don't buy the historical argument. I don't think you can justify anything that is unethical or unsafe by virtue of the fact that we've done it for a long time," said Devine.
Mayor Valérie Plante said at the executive committee meeting that they'll have to make certain decisions but that some were already made in the past for the industry at the taxpayer's expense - $500,000 worth - without the report ever being made public.
The money was spent on improved calèche waiting stations, microchipping horses, a ticketing system, plus uniforms and more training for drivers.
Plante and her party Projet Montreal had said during the election campaign that they would like to retire the industry.
Sauvé said they're looking at all options and would like to make an announcement about their intentions before the 2018 tourism season gets underway.