No community should have to go through what happened in Lac-Mégantic in 2013. That is why the Government of Canada has committed to building a rail bypass that will make it possible to remove trains from the downtown area. This project is important and at every stage, it is essential to keep informed communities affected by the project.
Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, and the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, the Honourable Helena Jaczek, have announced a turning point in moving forward the Lac-Mégantic rail bypass construction project. The expropriation, which was requested by Minister Alghabra in order to acquire the parcels of land needed for the project, was approved by Minister Jaczek.
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has informed the affected property owners of the expropriation and the fact that the Government of Canada will take physical possession of the parcels of land required for the project on August 1, 2023. This possession date will make it possible to carry out the work as soon as possible, once regulatory approvals for the project have been obtained. The property owners will receive offers of compensation for their expropriated property by August 1, 2023.
Before initiating the expropriation process, the Government of Canada attempted to reach an agreement with all affected property owners. It is in this spirit that the negotiation period with the property owners, which began in October 2021, was extended three times until January 13, 2023. However, for various reasons, the Government of Canada was unable to sign deeds of sale with all of the property owners.
The Government of Canada will continue to answer the questions of affected property owners and support them throughout the expropriation process. The Government of Canada is fully engaged in the Lac-Mégantic rail construction project, and will remain so through to completion.
