Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Ottawa confirms land expropriations for rail bypass after Lac-Mégantic tragedy

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 Jun, 2023 10:15 AM
  • Ottawa confirms land expropriations for rail bypass after Lac-Mégantic tragedy

MONTREAL — The federal government says it will expropriate land from residents near Lac-Mégantic, Que., to create a rail bypass around the town where a train crashed in 2013 and killed 47 people.

Ottawa released a statement Wednesday confirming that it was going ahead with the expropriations without the consent of all affected land owners.

Federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra and Procurement Minister Helena Jaczek say in the release that the federal government will take physical possession of the parcels of land required for the project on Aug. 1.

Alghabra had requested the expropriations to complete the bypass project that would remove trains from the city's downtown area, a major demand by the community following the 2013 disaster.

On the night of July 5, 2013, a runaway train carrying crude oil derailed and exploded in downtown Lac-Mégantic, killing 47 people.

Several groups that are opposed to the railway bypass say they are displeased with the federal government's decision and are studying legal options.

The government says it started negotiations with land owners in October 2021 and extended them three times, until January 2023, but was unable to reach deals with everyone. 

The ministers say all owners will receive fair and equitable value for their expropriated property.

MORE National ARTICLES

A third of Canadians support changing anthem to say 'our home on native land': poll

A third of Canadians support changing anthem to say 'our home on native land': poll
The proposed resolution put forward by Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie would – if passed by council – ask Ottawa to alter the line that reads "O Canada! Our home and native land” to “O Canada! Our home on native land."

A third of Canadians support changing anthem to say 'our home on native land': poll

PR for Ukrainians coming soon

PR for Ukrainians coming soon
Canada's immigration minister says he'll soon announce a long-awaited program to grant permanent residency to Ukrainians with familial ties to Canada. But Sean Fraser says a similar program for other Ukrainians is still a ways away.

PR for Ukrainians coming soon

Vancouver family who lost son to fentanyl donates $20 million to recovery centre

Vancouver family who lost son to fentanyl donates $20 million to recovery centre
Jill Diamond, executive director of Vancouver's Diamond Foundation and sister to Steven Diamond, said in a statement that her brother might still be alive today if he had received the care being offered at Vancouver's St. Paul's Hospital.

Vancouver family who lost son to fentanyl donates $20 million to recovery centre

Winds fan northeast B.C. wildfire, but aid crews working to save Tumbler Ridge

Winds fan northeast B.C. wildfire, but aid crews working to save Tumbler Ridge
Gusty winds have kicked up the activity of a huge wildfire in northeastern British Columbia, forcing evacuation orders for another 14 remote properties outside Fort Nelson. The Peace River Regional District issued two evacuation orders Sunday as winds fanned the 4,049-square-kilometre Donnie Creek blaze.  

Winds fan northeast B.C. wildfire, but aid crews working to save Tumbler Ridge

Shooting in Downtown: VPD

Shooting in Downtown: VPD
Sergeant Steve Addison says one person was arrested at the scene, but investigators have yet to determine if there are more suspects. He says the shooting occurred Saturday evening inside a building near East Hastings Street and Princess Avenue.

Shooting in Downtown: VPD

Vancouver hiker found dead near Lions Bay

Vancouver hiker found dead near Lions Bay
The search for a man who went missing during a hike near Lions Bay off the Sea to Sky highway has been called off. Lions Bay emergency program coordinator Phil Folkersen says a body has been found and it is believed to be that of Michael Tu.

Vancouver hiker found dead near Lions Bay