Hundreds of townspeople in Lac-Mégantic, Que., fell silent on the lawn of the Sainte-Agnès church on Thursday as 47 bells echoed through town. They bowed their heads, honouring each life lost in the train derailment and explosion that levelled its downtown 10 years ago.
Dignitaries stood, hands clasped, some laying bouquets of flowers on the nearby monument that lists the names of those who were killed.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in attendance and committed to the completion of the highly contested rail bypass project which would move the rails out of the core of the town of 6,000 in Quebec’s Eastern Townships. During the commemoration, the trains have been paused out of consideration for residents.
“It’s been a longer process than anyone would have liked,” said Trudeau on the steps of the church. “I’m here today to show a continued solidarity and represent all Canadians and all Quebecers in their continued solidarity with this community.”
Also in attendance were Premier François Legault, provincial Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault and federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, who have been part of the team leading the bypass project.
Speaking to media, Alghabra closed the door to a public inquiry into the disaster — something requested by locals including long-time resident Isabelle Boulanger, whose 19-year-old son Frédéric Boutin was killed.
Boulanger held back tears in the church during a mass earlier Thursday — one of the main events marking a decade since the disaster.
Just rows ahead of her, Jean Clusiault clasped his hands while listening to an opening hymn as those beside him wiped tears from their cheeks.
Clusiault’s daughter, Kathy, died in the derailment. Attending anniversary events is an important step for him.
“I miss many things. I miss her smile. I miss her heart. It’s still in my mind every day. But we have to live, it’s one step at a time,” said Clusiault.
‘Tragedy has marked the lives of the city’
Yolande Boulet-Boulanger, mother of Isabelle, was also in attendance.
She got emotional as she greeted a friend before the start of the mass. She says coming here is an important tradition for her.
“The sixth of July, it’s a day to respect forever,” said Boulet-Boulanger, who has been fighting the bypass plan that would reroute the rail through her property.
“It’s always going to be a sad day for me.… It’s a renewed sadness.”
Priest Garrick Huang led the mass and a silent vigil at 1:00 a.m.
He helped organize the year’s mass where Steve Lemay, the former priest of the parish, was invited as a special guest to deliver a homily.
He says many residents still ask questions about what happened, and choose not to attend mass.
“Of course the train tragedy has marked the lives of the city,” said Huang, who moved here in August 2021. “I can’t speak for everybody, but I would say the faith is still an important part.”
People gathered for a silent procession to mark the exact moment a decade ago when a train carrying oil tankers derailed in the centre of town, killing 47 people.
Starting at 7 p.m., there will be a concert in the Parc des Vétérans featuring local artist Marie Onile. At 8 p.m., Luc de Larochellière and Andrea Lindsay will perform.
The Musi-Café will hold its own concert on Friday, July 7 at 9 p.m. The bar and restaurant was rebuilt in a new location after the original building was destroyed in the explosion. Most of the victims were inside the Musi-Café when the train derailed.