By Staff
The Canadian Press
Posted October 7, 2025 1:05 pm
1 min read
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A couple from Lac-Mégantic, Que., have appeared in court in a bid to stay in their family home that was expropriated by the federal government for the construction of a rail bypass.
Ottawa expropriated Raymond Savoie and Rita Boulanger’s home in 2023 to divert trains from the community’s downtown after an oil-laden train derailed and killed 47 people in 2013.
The federal and provincial governments in 2018 committed to joint funding for the 12.5-kilometre rail bypass.
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But some citizens oppose the project because of concerns about the route, cost and potential damage to the town’s water supply.
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The couple argue it’s premature to ask them to vacate the home since the Canadian Transportation Agency has not yet given the go-ahead to begin construction.
The federal transportation minister announced last month that the long-delayed application for the project had been submitted to the agency, but the couple’s lawyer says there are several steps to go before construction can start.
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