Montreal

Lac-Mégantic will not pursue Canadian Pacific Railway

The town council of Lac-Mégantic has adopted a resolution to not take legal action against Canadian Pacific Railway.

Mayor Jean-Guy Cloutier says costs, risks of legal action are too high for community

The town is expected to make a final decision in July. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)

The town council of Lac-Mégantic has adopted a resolution to not take legal action against Canadian Pacific Railway for 2013 train disaster that killed 47 people.

In a statement released by the town after the meeting Tuesday night, Mayor Jean-Guy Cloutier said the community would have to undertake significant costs and that there were too many risks involved to pursue the company.

"We would be obligated to take on considerable fees for experts over several years,"  Cloutier said. "And we have absolutely no guarantee that we will receive reparations."

The burden of a lawsuit cannot fall on the shoulders of Lac-Mégantic residents, Cloutier said.