Canadian Pacific to drop challenges against Lac-Mgantic victims' $430M settlement

A motion to change the conditions ofa $430-million settlement fund for victims of theLac-Mganticrail disaster will be heard later this month.

On Thursday, aQuebec Superior Court judge wasscheduled to hear themotion in a court in Granby.

However, the court heard that there are other clients to advise in the case, so as a result JudgeGatan Dumas will hear the case on Oct. 13.

If the changes are approved, CanadianPacific Railway is prepared to drop its objections to thefund in Canada and in the United States in exchange for certain legal protections.

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The motion was tabled earlier this week by lawyers for Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway, the now-defunct railroad company responsible for the derailment that killed 47 people on July 6, 2013.

Victims could start collecting their money from the settlement fund if the motion is accepted.

For RaymondLafontaine, who lost his son, two daughters-in-law and employee in the disaster, it is a step forward.

"The people who were victims will finally be able to live," saidLafontaine.

CP has been the only companyaccused in the derailment to not participate in the settlement fund. The company has been fighting the ruling since July 2015, arguing it couldhurt CP's ability to defend itself against any future legal action.

Hans Mercier, the lawyer representing the families, said even if the motion is approved that lawsuits can still be brought against CP.