Lac-Mégantic residents want injunction against rail bypass over concerns of second disaster

The route of a long-promised rail bypass in Lac-Mégantic still divides the community, 10 years after the deadly train derailment there.

“This route will be faster than the one they use right now, so it will be more dangerous, there are more curves in it, and it’s going to be on the water table,” said Richard Boulanger, property owner being expropriated with the Coalition of Collateral Victims.

In June, 42 residents received confirmation that they will be expropriated by the federal government for the construction of the bypass. It will go through the municipalities of Nantes, Lac-Mégantic, and Frontenac.

The Coalition of Collateral Victims includes 300 residents against the route of the current bypass and those being expropriated.

“Canadian taxpayers are paying billions of dollars for a rail bypass that the majority of residents don’t want. Three scientific studies showed that 77 per cent of the population of Nantes, Lac-Mégantic, and Frontenac oppose the route. Not the bypass, it’s the route. I’m outraged because who benefits the most, CP, and who’s paying for it taxpayers,” explained Kurt Lucas, property owner being expropriated with the Coalition of Collateral Victims.

They’re concerned about safety and environmental impacts, including effects on the drinking water.

“They might just ruin the water that the whole town is drinking because they take the water just beneath where the train is going to go through. That’s where they’re going to dynamite,’ said Boulanger.

Youlande Boulet-Boulanger’s farm – which her family has own since 1933 – is among the list of expropriated. She also lost her grandson in the tragedy 10 years ago. She says the train would pass 800 feet from their home.

“It’s full of souvenirs here. My husband was born in this house. We asked for a new home because the vibration will be enormous. It doesn’t make sense to be shaken like that day after day,” said Boulet-Boulanger.

Their land and the others will be expropriated August 1, 2023. They plan to fight it in court requesting an injunction.

“I still have hope that someone will have a conscience and a sense of responsibility.”

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The mayor of Lac-Mégantic says the bypass is necessary and the route has been studied since 2014.

“We know it’s not easy for some but the project must move forward to protect the majority of the population,” said Julie Morin, Mayor of Lac-Mégantic. “With this route we distance the trains from buildings and the downtown.”

However, Lucas says, “If it’s really a question of safety they need to take the trains out of the town, not just the downtown.”

In a statement, Transport Canada said, “The Lac-Mégantic rail bypass project and the choice of route were announced in 2018. Since then, several steps, including geotechnical work and environmental studies, have been completed to deepen knowledge and data about the route selected, assess the project’s potential impacts and establish measures to mitigate these impacts.”

While visiting Lac-Mégantic Thursday to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the tragedy, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated his government’s plans to move forward with the bypass.

“It’s been a longer process than anyone would have liked to start construction. We’re hoping to start construction this fall on the bypass. The reality is there are a number of agricultural lands that we’re going to have to cut through, but people will be compensated for that.”