Lac‑Mégantic railway bypass servitude

Summary#

A notice that the federal government intends to register a permanent restriction on a piece of land in Lac‑Mégantic so that a railway can bypass the town centre. The restriction would stop building or storing materials on the parcel of land (about 14,489.5 s.m.) and was published in the Canada Gazette on February 18, 2023.

What it does#

• Creates a real and perpetual “non-construction” servitude. That means it would be forbidden to build, erect, develop, deposit or store materials on the affected parcel.
• Affects part of lot 3,109,261, owned by Tafisa Canada Inc., shown on plan M2022-10812 (survey dated December 16, 2022).
• Makes the servitude in favour of the Lac‑Mégantic railway bypass on lot 6,473,005 so the railway can be constructed and used.
• The action is being taken for the needs of Transport Canada and the notice is to be registered in the land register under number 27 853 056.

Who's affected#

• Tafisa Canada Inc., the registered owner of the parcel that would be restricted.
• The team building and operating the Lac‑Mégantic railway bypass (identified as the dominant land).
• Local residents and neighbouring landowners in Lac‑Mégantic may notice changes in land use or access near the bypass route. The exact wider effects on the community are not detailed in the notice.

Why it matters#

• The servitude will limit what the landowner can do with that parcel (no new buildings or storage there). That can affect development plans or uses the owner had for the land.
• It clears a legal path to build and use a railway that bypasses downtown Lac‑Mégantic, which could change traffic, noise, and land-use patterns near the route.
• Anyone who objects has 30 days from publication to submit a written objection (the notice gives a Montreal address and contact details). The notice is already filed in the land register, so the restriction is publicly recorded.