Montreal

Montreal, Maine & Atlantic's Canadian operations extended again

The railroad company at the centre of the deadly Lac-Mégantic train derailment and explosion has been given another reprieve.

Railway company can continue operations in the country until at least Oct. 18

A police officer walks amongst axle gear in Lac-Mégantic after the train derailment that levelled the town's centre and left 47 dead. (Mathieu Belanger/Reuters)

The railroad company at the centre of the deadly Lac-Mégantic train derailment and explosion has been given another reprieve.

The Canadian Transportation Agency is allowing the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway to continue its operations in the country until Oct. 18.

CTA spokeswoman Jacqueline Bannister said MM&A has provided proof of sufficient liability insurance for short-term operations.

This decision comes after the railway petitioned a previous decision rendered by the CTA on Aug. 23 giving the company until Oct. 1 to end its Canadian operations.

In its petition, MM&A asked to have its certificate of fitness extended to Jan. 15, 2014.

It may still get a January deadline. Bannister said the CTA has requested additional information from MM&A and will consider a variety of factors before handing down its decision. 

Whether the CTA decides to extend MM&A's deadline also depends on what the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act Court has to say. MM&A has a hearing on Oct. 9 in Sherbrooke, Que., that Bannister said may have an impact on the CTA’s consideration of longer-term operations.

She said the CTA will issue its decision about extending operations until January before Oct. 18.