Montreal's calche horse owners to receive $1K in compensation

Montreal's calche owners will receive compensation from the city as the Plante administration moves forward with plans to shut down the industry for good.

Starting May 1, horse owners can sign up to receive $1,000 in compensation. The SPCA and another animal rights association will help place the animals withadoptive families and shelters, the city announced Wednesday.

Last June, thePlanteadministration announced it would bancalches, the horse-drawn carriages operated mostly as a tourist activitydowntown and in Old Montreal, as of Dec. 31.

That announcement followed a succession of accidents and complaints involving calches. Then, five months later, a calchehorse died in the street, reviving public outrage.

The compensation plan for the horse owners was announced in a news conference led by Coun.Jean-Franois Parenteau, the executive committee member responsible for the environment.

Parenteausaid the city is partnering with the SPCA and Galahad, an SPCA offshoot organization responsible for rescuing horses.

The city is also planning information sessions in partnership with EmploiQubecand the federal government to help calchedrivers find new jobs.