Location: Québec
Summary of Issue/Background
- On May 11, 2018, the Prime Minister of Canada and the Premier of Quebec, announced the rail bypass in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, in recognition of the ongoing toll on the community from the deadly rail accident that occurred in July 2013.
- The selected route is based on numerous studies and analyses completed since 2015. This route was selected due to safety and feasibility criteria and reduces the impacts on agricultural lands.
- In December 2019, Canadian Pacific Railway bought the Central Maine & Québec Railway, and have indicated publicly they will continue to support the project.
- Since the project’s announcement in 2018, significant progress has been made. The provincial environmental assessment and the feasibility study were completed, and the relocation of railway activities to the Lac-Mégantic industrial park was integrated into the project, responding to community requests.
- On May 27, 2021, the Government of Canada and the Canadian Pacific Railway signed an agreement that allows for the funding of the pre-construction phase of the Lac-Mégantic Bypass Project. This is an important step towards obtaining the necessary plans, specifications and regulatory authorizations to complete the project.
- The Government of Canada is in the process of acquiring 80 parcels of lands from 44 owners, including from forestry producers, landowners, and the City of Lac-Mégantic. Transport Canada has mandated Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) to acquire these properties.
- PSPC will begin the negotiations in mid-October to acquire the land with the affected property owners. The Government of Canada is committed to providing owners with a fair and equitable value for their properties, including additional compensation.
- The Canadian Pacific Railway submitted its application on September 29th to the Canadian Transportation Agency to obtain the regulatory approval. The construction phase will begin once all regulatory approvals are received.
- An accelerated schedule was established to allow for project completion and the commissioning of the bypass route in 2023. The decommissioning of the existing tracks are projected to end in 2024-2025.
- The Government of Canada, in collaboration with the Government of Quebec, will implement monitoring mechanisms to ensure that the project meets the expectations and requirements for both levels of government.
Messages
- Since the Lac-Mégantic tragedy, numerous measures have been taken by Transport Canada to further improve rail safety, and the transportation of dangerous goods by rail, through regulatory and legislative reform.
- Transport Canada will continue to work in collaboration with the Canadian Pacific Railway and other partners involved, including the municipalities of Lac-Mégantic, Nantes and Frontenac. Completing this project on time is a priority for the Government of Canada.