Lac-Mgantic reconstruction gets $1.9M boost from Ottawa

The town ofLac-Mgantic, Que.,marked a new chapter on Saturday with the inauguration of itsReconstruction Office in the downtown areaand a funding announcement from the federal government.

Much of the downtown core was leveled when a freight train carrying oil derailed and exploded onJuly 6, 2013, killing 47 people.

AsLac-Mganticrebuilds from the disaster, the officewill have an information centre on the reconstruction ofthe downtown area and it will serveasthe accesspoint for development project proposals.

TransportMinister Marc Garneauattended the inauguration, on behalf ofNavdeepSinghBains, the minister of innovation, science and economic development.

On his visit,Garneauannounced that Ottawa will be investing $1.9 million over the next three years tohelp the town rebuild.

Community still waiting for answers

Saturday's eventwas the first time a federal minister has visitedLac-Mganticsince the Liberals came to power. Many locals were eager to askquestions they've had since the disaster happened more thantwo years ago.

One major concern will Transport Canada agree to divertthe train tracks around the town?

So farTransport Canada hasn't committed,and Garneaudidn't offer much in the way of answers on Saturday.

"After the tragedy in Lac-Mgantic, everyone in Canada is now realizing that there are railways that pass through their municipalities," he said.

"I've been receiving a lot of letters from municipalities asking to speak about the subject of rail safety. So it's something I take very seriously."

Working to boost sagging economy

Aside from the toll of the fatal derailment, the community ofLac-Mgantic is struggling with other challenges,including asagging local economy and an aging population.

The director of the Reconstruction Office,Stphane Lavalle,said as the communityrebuilds, they're also looking for waysto create new jobs andattractyoung people.

"We think our project itself is a new possibility for people."