New charges being laid in Lac-Megantic rail disaster

A fireman walks through the debris as work continues at the crash site of the train derailment and fire Tuesday, July 16, 2013 in Lac-Megantic, Que. that left 37 people confirmed dead and another 13 missing and presumed dead. (Ryan Remiorz / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

OTTAWA -- The federal government has laid new charges in relation to the train derailment disaster in Lac-Megantic.

The charges stem from a Transport Canada investigation that found an insufficient number of handbrakes were applied to the train that barrelled into the Quebec town almost two years ago.

The government says in a release that the investigation also found the handbrakes were not tested properly.

There are also charges under the federal Fisheries Act for the crude oil that flowed into Lac-Megantic and the Chaudiere River after the deadly accident in July 2013.

Those facing new changes of omitting to apply hand brakes are:

Individuals can be fined up to $50,000, and corporations up to $1,000,000, along with six months in jail.

Until now Harding, Demaitre and Richard Labrie have been the only people facing charges.

The deadly disaster in Lac-Megantic killed 47 people and forced thousands more from their homes as fire from the derailed train destroyed most of the town's downtown core.