$60 million for victims of Lac-Megantic tragedy

QUEBEC CITY – In a press conference on Wednesday, Premier Pauline Marois said her government is feeling devastated, sad and angry, adding “the entire province is in mourning”.

“It should never have happened,” said Marois.

The Premier had just wrapped up a cabinet meeting almost entirely devoted to the Lac-Megantic tragedy. She said flags on all provincial buildings will be flying at half-mast for one week. Marois also presented an aid package for the area.

“First of all, we will offer $25 million for emergency needs for the citizens, for the corporations and for the municipality,” said Marois.

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Each family evacuated will be entitled to up to $200, 000 for clothes, lodging and rebuilding. Next, the province will unlock an extra $25 million for the reconstruction of downtown Lac-Megantic. And $10 million will go to spur the local economy. In all, Quebec is setting aside $60 million.

“These funds for the citizens, for the municipality will be available on Monday. There will be a place with a phone number where the citizens will be able to go to have this help,” Marois added.

The premier said she expects Ottawa to pitch in, but held back criticism, focusing instead on the families most affected by the tragedy.

“We’ve set up psychologists, social workers, psycho-educators and nurses to give the services to people, to the victims,” said Health Minister Réjean Hébert.

The province has a crisis unit on the ground, and almost all the departments are being solicited.

“We want some economic push-up for the area and we want to make sure that it’s going to be in a partnership with the city and the Eastern Township tourism association,” said Tourism Minister Pascal Bérubé.

Finance Minister Nicolas Marceau said “we will find the resources (to help).”

Marois said although times are tough and the province isn’t rich, there are “no restrictions” when it comes to helping Quebecers struck by tragedy. And although money is a small consolation, they hope it will begin to help those who have lost everything.