Raitt promises to help Lac-Megantic with reconstruction

The federal government is promising to help Lac-Mgantic in its reconstruction efforts, buthasn't said yethow much financial aid it will contribute.

Newly appointed Transport Minister Lisa Raitt said Wednesday, whilevisiting the small community in Quebec's Eastern Townships,that she was there to geta first-hand look atthe devastation and better understand its scope.

"You can count on the federal government to be supportive and that we will be here to help with reconstruction, and in whatever way the province and the municipality wants us to," Raitt said.

The new transport minister was asked several times how much financial help the federal government would contribute, but she would not say.

Raittexplained that the difficulty lies in quantifying what the needs are and that she would be meetingwith the mayor of Lac-Mgantic and other officials to get a better grasp for the scopeof the devastation.

"My door is open," Raitt said.

Colette Roy-Laroche, the mayor of Lac-Mgantic, said on Wednesday that she would ask the federal minister for financial aid to help with various infrastructure projects.

Raitt acknowledges lack of French

Raitt, who speaks little French, was accompanied by Christian Paradis, the member of Parliament for MganticL'rable, Que., who until Monday was the minister responsible for Quebec.

Paradis has been the face of the federal government on the ground since the accident, caused by thederailment of a train thatwas carrying crude oil.

On Monday, he was shuffled out of the industry portfolio and appointed minister for international development.

Raitt, who faced high expectations for her visit, came right out of the gate and addressed her lack of French head on.

"I admit my French is not as good as yours. However, I hope you'll see my sorrow and preoccupation for your well-being," Raitt said.

Her comments elicited a small chuckle from Paradis, who quickly regained his composure as Raitt forged on.

"This tragedy moved so many of us across the country, but so has the strength and the courage of the people in this community and those who are working to respond to its aftermath," Raitt said.

"You can be sure that thefederal government will continue to assist the province and the municipality with what they need to help the community. Both are acting with skill and compassion and should continue to lead the response."

Raitt was also accompanied by Conservative MP Larry Miller,who serves aschairman of the Commons transport committee.

Investigations ongoing

Miller rejected an NDP requestto have the transport committee meet during the summer to discuss rail safety, saying it was too early to discuss the matter given the ongoing investigations.

Raitt said officials from Transport Canada are on the ground cooperating with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, theSret du Qubec, and othersin their investigation to determine the causes of the tragedy.

The minister said their conclusions will help guide the federal government in rail transportation safety.

Raitt assured the community that the federal governmentwould take the necessarymeasures to prevent a similar accident from happening in the future.

Mathieu Ravignat, the NDP member of Parliament for Pontiac, told CBC News while it was "a good thing" that Raitt travelledto Lac-Mgantic, he was disappointed that the federal transport minister came empty-handed.

"It seems to me that some clear, concrete measures could have been proposed," he said.

Ravignat said thefederal government ought to review the way trains go through municipalities, andthat it ought to considerphasing out certain train cars that have proven to be dangerous.

Raitt'svisit comes a day afterseven mayorsfrom Quebec's Eastern Townships called for a meeting with her to discuss rail safety concerns.

Quebec Premier Pauline Maroishas pledged $60 million in immediate and short-term aid. Shehas pushed for Ottawa to contribute because railways are a federal responsibility.

Following Monday'scabinet shuffle, Harper was asked whether it was appropriate to appoint Raitt, a unilingual anglophone, to transport given the crisis in Quebec.

Harper replied he had great confidence in Raitt and that she would serve all Canadians well.

The prime minister added that Denis Lebel, the minister for infrastructure, would be involved in the reconstruction efforts.