Murdochville's future still murky

Premier Jean Charest and Regions Minister Nathalie Normandeau met with Murdochville's municipal council on Wednesday to discuss the Gasp mining town's future.

Murdochville has lost 650 jobs over the past few years, leaving many residents with an uncertain future. Town councillors want the provincial government to either rebuild or close the town of 1,500.

Mayor Marc Minville says the heated meeting ended on a positive note, after the Premier promised to have an answer on Murdochville's future by the end of the school year in June.

Minville says it would cost $25 million to compensate homeowners and businesses that would leave the area if the town were to close. He wants the government to commit to a decision so residents can carry on with their lives.

Both parties agreed to re-evaluate the potential of development projects devised by the former Parti Qubcois government.

Charest says he wants a clear answer on whether Murdochville can become a viable community once again.