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Quebec City calèche drivers on strike for better conditions for horses

Click to play video: 'Striking Quebec City calèche workers stand firm'
Striking Quebec City calèche workers stand firm
WATCH: It's the height of tourist season in Quebec City, but calèche drivers who have been on strike for a week say they'll keep picketing for as long as it takes to ensure better working conditions not only for themselves but also for their horses – Jul 31, 2018

Calèche drivers in Quebec City have been on strike since last Wednesday. They say they’ll keep picketing until their employer agrees to better working conditions for themselves and the horses.

READ MORE: Horse-drawn carriages draw controversy across Canada — why are advocates pushing for a ban?

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“The message really that we’re trying to get across is that we are the main line of defence for the horses’ conditions,” said Vincent Boissonneault, a United Food and Commercial Workers union delegate.

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Quebec City rules say a horse cannot work longer than nine hours a day, but the 14 drivers employed by Calèches Quebec voluntarily cut their hours down to seven because the horses work every day. They say they’re trying to spare the horses from overwork and injury “with the result that we just can’t make a living, basically,” Boissonneault said.

“The main thing we’re asking for is more horses so each horse can have more breaks,” he explained.

READ MORE: Quebec City calèche horses involved in two separate incidents

With two horses per driver, he or she could work a 14-hour shift, earn a decent wage, and ensure the welfare of the animals, the union said. Boissonneault said the union is going back to the negotiating table on Wednesday.

Calèches Québec said it was not speaking to media at this time, saying they “believed it would only escalate the conflict.”

The treatment of calèche horses has been a hot debate. Montreal recently banned them beginning in 2020 because of concerns of animal cruelty.

READ MORE: Activists want clarification on new calèche rules

Driver Stéphanie Pagé said that’s one of the reasons going on strike is important.

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“If we want to make this industry survive and continue,” Pagé said, “we must take care of all our employees, on two or four legs.”

READ MORE: Quebec City businesses challenged by shortage of workers

As for people who say horse carriages should be banned in Quebec City, she said, “they’ve always been there since the city was built, so I think the cars and buses need to give space to the carriages.”

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