The Montreal owner of Calèches Lucky Luc is claiming compensation of nearly $200,000 from the City of Montreal, which caused him to lose his livelihood by banning horse-drawn carriages from the streets of the metropolis.
Posted at 4:02 p.m.
In a lawsuit filed at the Montreal courthouse, Luc Desparois explains that he had bought several permits, for which he paid up to $50,000, to operate horse-drawn carriages that crisscrossed Old Montreal with tourists on board. .
“In addition to the purchase of permits, the plaintiff invested significant sums in the operation of the horse-drawn carriages, the rental of space for his stables and the purchase of essential equipment to ensure compliance with municipal regulations” , can we read in the document.
From the time horse-drawn carriages were banned from Montreal on 1er January 2020, Mr. Desparois claims to have suffered significant financial losses and had to find a job as a parking attendant, which provides him with a much lower income. All of his savings had been invested in his business, which employed 22 people, he said.
He recalls that the City of Montreal has offered carriage operators compensation of $1,000 per horse, which he considers clearly insufficient.
“Because of the irresponsibility of the City, which revoked the right to the carriage permits after having approved the transactions for their purchase, the plaintiff suffered serious prejudices and damages”, indicates the lawsuit.
Luc Desparois is therefore asking for compensation of $187,500.
The horse-drawn carriage owners had fought in court to have the by-law adopted by elected municipal officials annulled, without success.