Lac-Mgantic residents fear possible expropriation

Marc Desfosss doesnt want to move his family out of the home theyve lived in for nine years, but the Lac-Mgantic, Que., resident fears hell have no choice.

Hes one of several residents on Salaberry Street whose homes may be demolished to make way for Lac-Mgantics new downtown core.

The old downtown was destroyed on July 6 when a train carrying 72 cars of crude oil derailed and exploded in the centre of town, killing 47 people.

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The site of the explosion is still a mess of contaminated rubble and would take years to completely clean up.

Richard Michaud of Lac-Mganticcity council said its essential to the vitality of the town that the downtown be rebuilt much sooner than that.

He said the city is looking at rebuilding a new downtown on Salaberry Street in the next one to two years,and that means some residents may have to forsake their homes for the greater good of the town.

We know, yes, they have to rebuild Lac-Mgantic, its true. We've got to do it. But at which price? Where are all those people going to go? asked Sylvie Turcotte, who currently rents an apartment on Salaberry Street.

Nobody can answer.

Residents fight Bill 57

Turcotte started a petition to abolish Bill 57,legislation passed last month that outlines what Lac-Mgantic can do to rebuild the city.

We knowthey have to rebuildLac-Mgantic, its true. We've got to do it. But at which price?-Lac-Mgantic resident

Desfosss signed the petition, but doesnt have much faith his signature will result in being able to stay in his house.

Were going to be moved. Were going to be told, You have to move. Its scary, especially after what happened. Were still dealing with the tragedy, he said.

Before the explosion, he and his wife began renovations on their home, which they bought in 2008 after renting for several years. Now hes wondering if its worth continuingthe renovations, considering theyll likely have to move.

The unanswered questions are weighing heavily on him.

Ihave a wife and three kids, where do we go? We cant afford one of the new apartment buildings theyre going to put up, Desfosss said.

Are we going to stay in Mgantic? Are we going to move outside Mgantic? Its a lot of questions, its a lot to deal with, he continued.

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Desfosss knew several of the residents who perished in the July 6 disaster. Both he and Turcotte feel its too soon to be asking residents to move.

Its not the right time [for residents] to take big decisions like this, Turcotte said.

They dont have the mind for this, theyre not ready. Not yet.

Lack of communication angers residents

Desfosss said he didnt appreciate the way in which he found out about the redevelopment of Lac-Mgantics downtown.

He said he found out not by getting a phone call or a knock at the door, but by looking at a new map of his street.

His house wasnt on the new map.

Where our house is, theres going to be a park, he said.

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He said he tried communicating with the city to no avail, buteventually spoke to the director of urban development.

Desfossssaid he was told, 'Just because your house isnt there, doesnt mean it wont be.'

Desfosss said that, had the approach been different, he wouldnt be so angry about the probable future move.

If they want to buy my house, then why dont they come and see me and ask me? he said.

A little bit of clarity on the situation might be nice. It would have been nice to get a phone call from the city."

Michaudsaid the city could expropriate homes, but would use it only as a last resort.

He said the focus is on negotiating fair deals and helping displaced residents find new homes.