Lac-Megantic to receive $60M from Quebec government

The downtown of Lac-Megantic, Que., remains closed June 10, 2014, as crews work at the clearing and decontamination a year after an oil-filled train screeched off the tracks and exploded killing 47 people. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

LAC-MEGANTIC – The Quebec government says it will give an additional $60 million to compensate victims of the Lac-Megantic and help rebuild the city that was devastated by a rail disaster of last year.

During a news conference Sunday, Minister of Municipal Affairs Pierre Moreau specified that $37 million of that money will be earmarked for those whose businesses were in the disaster area.

Moreau said the government has already given $409 million toward the rebuilding and recovery efforts since the derailment.

Meetings will be held this week with 37 business owners concerned, Moreau said. He also said the money will be immediately available to those who need it.

The land owners will be offered an incentive to rebuild their businesses in Lac-Megantic. If they wish to leave, the government will offer them compensation for their land at market value, Moreau said.

-- with a file from CTV Montreal