Supreme Court Dismisses CPKC Appeal in Lac-Mégantic Disaster

The Supreme Court of Canada has dismissed an appeal against Canadian Pacific Kansas City, absolving the railway company of liability in the 2013 Lac-Mégantic rail disaster that killed 47 people and devastated the Quebec town's downtown core.

The decision, which followed victories for the company in Quebec Superior Court and the Court of Appeal, marks the end of a long legal battle initiated by victims, their families and other parties. The high court provided no reasons for refusing to hear the case, in line with its customary practice.

The tragedy unfolded on July 6, 2013, when a runaway train operated by the now-bankrupt Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway derailed in the heart of Lac-Mégantic, a community of about 6,000 residents near the Maine border. The 72-car train, loaded with crude oil from North Dakota bound for New Brunswick, exploded into a massive fireball upon impact. The blast leveled much of the downtown area, incinerating buildings and creating environmental hazards from spilled oil.

Under a prior agreement among stakeholders, a $460 million compensation fund was established to support victims, their families and creditors of Montreal, Maine and Atlantic....