PM pledges $95M to help Lac-Mégantic
Train derailment spill contaminated soil and nearby lake and river
LAC-MÉGANTIC, Que. The federal and Quebec governments shared a rare moment of solidarity Thursday, agreeing to split the estimated $190 million price tag to decontaminate the devastated town of Lac-Mégantic.
Last summer, a runaway tanker train carrying crude oil rumbled into the heart of the Quebec community, jumped the tracks and exploded in a fiery crash that killed 47 people.
The derailment levelled the town’s centre and spewed millions of litres of crude into the environment, contaminating the soil as well as a nearby river and lake.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited the region Thursday and pledged to help cover up to $95 million of the cleanup cost, half of the overall estimate made by the Quebec government.
“I know there is no amount of money that can erase the painful memories … but you have to know that our government is doing everything in its power to support you,” Harper told a news conference.
“The events of July 6, 2013, profoundly touched all Canadians from one end of the country to the other.
“Above all, they noticed your resilience, your determination and your pure desire to rebuild.”
The provincial intergovernmental affairs minister reacted positively to Harper’s commitment, even though members of the Parti Québécois government were not present for the announcement.
“We’re happy that, at the end of the day, we’ll share the bill with the federal government,” Alexandre Cloutier said in Quebec City, adding he believes Harper will be true to his word.
“I’m convinced he said the truth at the press conference.”
The announcement follows an earlier federal commitment to spend $60 million on emergency response and to relaunch the local economy.
Harper’s visit to Lac-Mégantic, about a three-hour drive east of Montreal, was his third since the disaster.