Trot Insider has spoken with ATAQ vice president Rick Karper in regard to the demonstration/protest which occurred yesterday at the Quebec Parliament
building.
"I don't have official numbers or anything, but I think there were 150 people there, but there could've been more," Karper told Trot Insider about the one and a half-hour demonstration, which featured horsepeople, breeders, some broodmares and their foals.
"The president of ATAQ (Alain Vallières) did meet inside with politicians while the demonstration was going on," Karper explained. "Also, a few politicians came out and addressed the crowd while we were out there, but I believe they were members from the opposition party."
Horsepeople were bused in from multiple locations to take part in the event, and Karper told Trot Insider that the event "went about as well as possible," but he also stated that it was hard to present mass numbers of provincial horsepeople for the gathering.
He explained that it was not because Quebec horsepeople don't care passionately for their industry and livelihood, but because they have been forced to scatter to other jurisdictions for employment.
"We're talking about people being forced to dissipate," Karper said. "Quebec horsepeople are currently at Pompano, Rockingham, Toronto, Ottawa and upstate New York in higher numbers than ever. All they want is a prosperous provincial industry, but right now it is very tough, and people are forced to do what they must."