Issue No. 5 – January 2023

The latest information on the Lac-Mégantic rail bypass project.

Recent developments

Public consultation

From October 24 to November 25, 2022, Transport Canada (TC) held a public consultation on hydrology and measures to mitigate the potential impacts of the Lac-Mégantic rail bypass project.  

We would like to thank everyone who participated in the open house sessions as part of the public consultation, as well as those who submitted their comments in writing.

Over a hundred people attended the sessions, which were held from November 7 to 9, 2022, and 59 submissions were made.

The questions raised mainly pertained to the impact of the project on the water table in terms of water quality and quantity, the wetland restoration process and the well monitoring program. The cost of the project and its social acceptability were also mentioned.

The comments received enabled us to better understand public concerns. Following the analysis of these concerns, new mitigation measures could be developed. The comments will also be included in a report submitted to the Canadian Transportation Agency.

Change in the team

New director Catherine Hudon has taken over our strong team of federal employees, which is supported by professionals from different departments involved in the project for several years. Ms. Hudon has over 15 years of experience in the public service, where she has directed complex projects. She is an empathetic, collaborative and solution-focused leader. Originally from Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, she is a proud Quebec Francophone. She was drawn to this project because members of her family are from Lac-Mégantic, so she understands the tragedy's impact on the community.

We would like to thank Mr. Chayer for his leadership and commitment to the Lac-Mégantic rail bypass project. We wish him success in his new duties at Infrastructure Canada.

The project team: who are we?

Geneviève Côté joined the project team as manager on September 6. Geneviève supervises the team responsible for public consultations and stakeholder relations. She also plays an important role in planning, organizing and implementing this project. If you see her around, make sure to say hello!

Corrine Ezin has over 10 years of experience in the public service, and has spent most of her career at Transport Canada. She joined the major transportation infrastructure projects team in 2021. She is responsible for contracts and contribution agreements, and provides support to her colleagues at Public Services and Procurement Canada in the land acquisition process. Throughout this, Corrine has had the pleasure of meeting some landowners over the past few weeks.

Crown Engineer

During the latest public consultations on hydrogeology, the community of Lac-Mégantic, Frontenac and Nantes met Marc-André Renaud, senior representative for the Crown Engineer. 

The Crown Engineer's role in the project is not to design the new railway, but to support Canada in all technical and real property aspects, and to provide advice to the Transport Canada team. 

Marc-André and his multidisciplinary team at CIMA+ are also responsible for carrying out other tasks associated with the project, such as supporting local ATV and snowmobile associations in replanning the trail network as a result of the project.

Don't be surprised to see him and his team in the field, and don't hesitate to ask him about the project. He would be happy to answer your questions!

Next major steps

Transport Canada is putting in the effort to move this project forward. The next major steps in 2023 are:

• Completing the land acquisition process with the landowners (2022-2023)
• Beginning the project review process by the Canadian Transportation Agency (2023)
• Issuing a call for proposals for the construction work (2023)
• Obtaining regulatory approvals (CTA, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Canadian Navigable Waters Act, Railway Safety Act) (2023)
• Beginning construction (once regulatory approvals have been obtained)