Bruce Campbell , Canadian author of The Lac-Mégantic Rail Disaster: Public Betrayal, Justice Denied, sobs, “Forty-seven people died that night, their hopes and dreams obliterated, futures wiped out. No one in the town was spared the grief of their loss.” He goes on to describe his personal connection to the incident, “[The Candlelight Vigil] brought the tragedy home in a way that I never expected going in. I reacted emotionally in a way that I was not prepared for, notably, reliving my feelings about Bianca, Alyssa, and Talitha Coumi.” On July 6th, Sierra Club La Coalition Rail Safety Campaign members partnered with Railroad Workers United and liaisons from La Coalition Des Citoyens et Organismes Engagés pour la Sécurité Ferroviaire de Lac-Mégantic to host a Candlelight Vigil in honor of the 12th anniversary of the horrific train derailment that stole 47 from the heart of Lac-Mégantic. Fritz Edler and Mark Burrows, members of Railroad Workers United, both dedicated their careers to the protection of railroad employees, and the public, by tirelessly advocating for improved working conditions. After what seems like a lifetime, little progress has been made. Edler explains, “The Lac-Mégantic tragedy differs from so many other rail disasters in North America because of the depth of knowledge we now have of the sheer scope of dangerous policies and practices by the rail companies and shippers from end to end. We also know the enabling role of the captive government regulators and how far the governments will go to avoid real meaningful safety reform.” “The Lac Megantic tragedy was preventable,” emphasizes Burrows, “as was the East Palestine, Ohio derailment. It's simply a case of greed and profit margin vs. the well being of the workforce and surrounding communities. A public inquiry is essential for the facts and truth to be revealed, which would go a long way towards real accountability.”   

Canadian Activist Bellefleur remains optimistic, “We, the people of Lac-Mégantic, Quebec and Canada, are assured of [La Coalition Rail Safety Campaign’s] long-term support and assistance in this fight that we are all waging to guarantee greater safety for our respective populations in the face of the dangers that, unfortunately, still arise from the transport of dangerous goods by train. Thank you again dear friends and remain united in our noble cause!” You can help by contacting your Congresspersons today to demand people-first regulatory reform in the rail industry.