OTTAWA -- The federal government has laid new charges in relation to the train derailment disaster in Lac-Megantic.
The charges stem from a Transport Canada investigation that found an insufficient number of handbrakes were applied to the train that barrelled into the Quebec town almost two years ago.
The government says in a release that the investigation also found the handbrakes were not tested properly.
There are also charges under the federal Fisheries Act for the crude oil that flowed into Lac-Megantic and the Chaudiere River after the deadly accident in July 2013.
Those facing new changes of omitting to apply hand brakes are:
- Montreal Maine & Atlantic Canada Co.
- Montreal Maine & Atlantic Canada Railway Ltd
- Robert C. Grindrod (Chief Executive Officer and President of The Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway, Inc)
- Lynne Ellen I. Labonté
- Kenneth I. Strout
- Thomas Harding
- Jean Demaitre
- Mike Horan
Individuals can be fined up to $50,000, and corporations up to $1,000,000, along with six months in jail.
Until now Harding, Demaitre and Richard Labrie have been the only people facing charges.
The deadly disaster in Lac-Megantic killed 47 people and forced thousands more from their homes as fire from the derailed train destroyed most of the town's downtown core.
