Lac‑Mégantic railway bypass expropriation

Summary#

This is a notice under the Expropriation Act that Her Majesty in right of Canada intends to take a real and perpetual servitude (a right of way) so a federal project can build and run a railway bypass around downtown Lac-Mégantic. The notice was published on February 18, 2023, and people with an interest have 30 days from that date to file a written objection.

What it does#

• Declares the federal government’s intention to expropriate a real and perpetual servitude of right of way that was registered on September 3, 2019 under registration number 24,869,452.
• Identifies the specific land parcels affected (cadastre of Quebec, Registration Division of Frontenac): lots 3,396,663, 6,419,471, 3,743,281, and 6,303,262.
• Refers to a plan (sheets 6 and 7) prepared by Maxime Bourgeois on December 21, 2022, attached to the notice and filed in the land register under number 27 853 055.
• States the purpose: the construction and operation of a railway bypassing the downtown area of Lac-Mégantic.
• Gives a 30-day window for objections to be sent to the regional office of Public Works and Government Services (contact details provided in the notice).

Who's affected#

• TAFISA CANADA INC., identified in the notice as the current rights holder of the servitude.
• Owners and registered interests in the listed lots (3,396,663, 6,419,471, 3,743,281, 6,303,262) in the Registration Division of Frontenac.
• The federal department handling the file: Department of Public Works and Government Services.
• Local residents, businesses, and others in and around Lac-Mégantic who may be affected by a new railway route (the notice does not list specific private parties beyond the rights holder).

Why it matters#

• Expropriation changes who controls a legal right over land. That can allow construction to proceed even if the current rights holder does not agree.
• The stated aim is to build and operate a railway that bypasses downtown Lac-Mégantic. That could change local rail traffic, land use, and nearby properties.
• People or organizations with an interest in the listed servitude or lots have a limited time (30 days) to object in writing, so anyone concerned should review the notice and act quickly.