Canadian Pacific to drop challenges against Lac-Mégantic victims' $430M settlement

A motion to change the conditions of a $430-million settlement fund for victims of the Lac-Mégantic rail disaster will be heard later this month.

On Thursday, a Quebec Superior Court judge was scheduled to hear the motion in a court in Granby.

However, the court heard that there are other clients to advise in the case, so as a result Judge Gaétan Dumas will hear the case on Oct. 13. 

If the changes are approved, Canadian Pacific Railway is prepared to drop its objections to the fund in Canada and in the United States in exchange for certain legal protections.

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The motion was tabled earlier this week by lawyers for Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway, the now-defunct railroad company responsible for the derailment that killed 47 people on July 6, 2013. 

Victims could start collecting their money from the settlement fund if the motion is accepted.

For Raymond Lafontaine, who lost his son, two daughters-in-law and employee in the disaster, it is a step forward.

"The people who were victims will finally be able to live," said Lafontaine.

CP has been the only company accused in the derailment to not participate in the settlement fund. The company has been fighting the ruling since July 2015, arguing it could hurt CP's ability to defend itself against any future legal action.

Hans Mercier, the lawyer representing the families, said even if the motion is approved that lawsuits can still be brought against CP.