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Montreal

Federal government promises $60M to help rebuild Lac-Mgantic

A total of $120 million in provincial and federal aid will go toward rebuilding Lac-Mgantic's downtown area and help business owners get back on their feet.

Environment ministry says 5.7 million litres of oil aboard train dumped into environment

Crews are working to identify the last five people who are missing and presumed dead. (Radio-Canada)

The federal government is promising $60 million to help with rebuilding Lac-Mgantic.

Of the $60 million, $25 million will go tosupplement the province of Quebec's $60-million contribution to the town rocked by theJuly 6 train disaster.

The other $35 million is earmarked for helping Lac-Mgantic recover economically.

The province pledged $60 million to the town earlier this month; that brings the combined total of provincial and federal aid to $120 million.

Christian Paradis, MP for the riding of Mgantic-L'rable and the minister of International Development, was in Lac-Mgantic to announce the federal aid.

MP Christian Paradis in Lac-Mgantic on Monday afternoon. (Radio-Canada)

Lac-Mgantic Mayor Colette Roy-Laroche thanked the federal government for its contribution, but said it wouldnt be enough.

"We predict the cost of rebuilding the downtown and the cost of rehabilitation will surpass the amount of money given," she said.

But Prime Minister Stephen Harper promised he'd be there for us, she added, alluding to possible further aid in the future.

Crews looking for 5 still missing

Earlier Monday afternoon, the Sret du Qubec and thecoroner's office said no more bodies had been recovered, but that six of the ones already found have been identified.

That brings the number of victims identified to 28. The SQ believes 47 peopledied in the train explosion.

Late on Monday, the Quebec environment ministry said the train was carrying a total of 7.2 million litres of light crude oil when it derailed and exploded in the centre of town.

The ministry said 43 tanker cars have been moved and emptied. It estimates that about 5.7 million litres of the oil have spilled into the environment, affecting the air, water and soil.

Clean-up operations are still underway in Lac-Mgantic.

Corrections

  • We initially reported that the combined total of provincial and federal aid to Lac-Mgantic was $95 million. In fact, the actual total is $120 million.
    Jul 26, 2013 11:42 AM ET