Local farmers’ union president in support
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
In the aftermath of the tragic Lac-Mégantic railroad disaster in 2013, which claimed the lives of 47 people, there have been ongoing discussions about the construction of a rail bypass to prevent future catastrophes. However, recent developments have sparked significant controversy and concern among local residents, prompting the Coalition des Victimes Collatérales to initiate a petition calling for a new mandate to the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE) before the bypass project proceeds further.
The petition, launched on Aug. 4, and set to close on Oct. 15, has already garnered over 100 signatures. It is being supported by Sherbrooke MNA Christine Labrie. The coalition’s petition outlines several pressing issues that they say warrant a thorough re-examination by BAPE.
Key concerns highlighted in the petition
The petition emphasizes various health and safety concerns that have emerged since the initial BAPE reviews in 2017 and 2019. Among these are risks of contamination and reduction in drinking water quality, as confirmed by a recent hydrology study. The extent of wetland destruction has also alarmingly doubled between 2019 and 2023, raising fears about the impact on the Chaudière River’s water quality and flow due to blasting work and the destruction of wetlands.
One of the critical points raised is the lack of transparency and public consultation regarding the selected route, which passes through an area where mining activities are prohibited to protect a groundwater catchment. The relocation of the rail yard to the industrial park and its impact on neighbouring residences were also not subject to public consultations, according to the petition.
The proposed route’s technical details add to the concerns. The new bypass will not reduce the altitude difference and will include more pronounced curves, potentially leading to faster train speeds. Furthermore, the estimated project cost has skyrocketed from $133 million to over $1 billion, financed by public funds, intensifying opposition in the municipalities of Nantes and Frontenac, which have formally withdrawn their support.
