Horse-drawn vehicles could soon become legally permitted on Saskatoon streets under a new regulatory framework that is expected to receive approval from city council. The move follows a pilot project involving a horse-drawn carriage business operated by former NHL player Rich Pilon. Pilon had applied for a business licence in 2023, but existing city traffic regulations did not provide a formal process for allowing commercial horse-drawn vehicles to operate regularly on city streets. Under the existing rules, horse-drawn vehicles are classified as unregulated vehicles and are generally not permitted on Saskatoon streets unless the city issues a specific permit. City administration introduced a temporary pilot framework to test how such operations could work safely in an urban environment. Following the pilot, Saskatoon’s transportation committee unanimously supported moving forward with a permanent regulatory framework. The proposal will now go before city council for approval. The proposed rules are intended to establish a clear process for businesses and operators that want to provide horse-drawn carriage rides in Saskatoon. Operators would be required to meet safety and licensing requirements, including holding a valid Class 5 driver’s licence and complying with applicable traffic regulations. The framework would also address passenger safety, vehicle equipment, animal welfare, operating areas and hours, and requirements for keeping streets clean after horses have passed through. Operators would also need to provide sufficient space for cyclists and take precautions when travelling alongside other road users. Certain busy roads and locations could remain restricted, with operators expected to select routes that reduce potential conflicts with heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
The pilot project provided the city with an opportunity to assess the practical challenges of allowing horse-drawn vehicles to operate in an urban setting. Officials reviewed factors including the number of rides, safety incidents, complaints and other concerns associated with the operation. Pilon, who played in the NHL for the New York Islanders, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues, began operating horse-drawn wagon events in 2022. His organization, Horses & Hockey — Let’s Talk, also promotes activities aimed at supporting children’s mental health.
The proposed framework would bring Saskatoon in line with several other Western Canadian cities where horse-drawn vehicles are already permitted under municipal regulations, including Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Victoria. The proposal comes with an emphasis on balancing public safety, traffic management and animal welfare. Supporters say a formal framework would provide clear rules for operators rather than leaving individual applications to be handled through temporary or special permits. If city council approves the framework, horse-drawn carriage businesses would have an established regulatory pathway to operate in Saskatoon, subject to meeting the city’s requirements. For Pilon and other potential operators, the decision could mark the end of a lengthy effort to establish horse-drawn carriage services as a formally regulated activity in the city. For Saskatoon residents and visitors, it could also mean the return of horse-drawn rides as a regular feature of the city’s streets and events.