Robert Bellefleur, a resident of Lac-Megantic, Quebec, was taken aback one morning when two armed Canadian Pacific Kansas City police officers showed up at his home. They confronted him about allegedly trespassing on railway property, leading to a fine of nearly $700 imposed by the Quebec Crown prosecutor’s office. Bellefleur, a rail safety advocate, believes this action was in response to him reporting safety concerns regarding the train tracks in his community.
While Canadian Pacific Kansas City asserts that the visit and fine were meant to deter trespassing, Bellefleur interprets it as an attempt to silence him from raising safety issues. Despite the fine, which he paid to avoid legal fees, Bellefleur remains steadfast in his commitment to advocating for railway safety.
Bellefleur had raised concerns about erosion around a culvert to the rail company, triggering the police visit and subsequent fine. He firmly maintains that he was not trespassing and was merely at a level crossing when taking the photos. Despite the investigation and fine, Bellefleur vows to continue speaking out and plans to file complaints with various authorities.
In the aftermath of the 2013 rail disaster in Lac-Megantic, Bellefleur established a group dedicated to railway safety in the community. He has persistently flagged safety issues since Canadian Pacific Kansas City took over the track in 2020. Bellefleur’s unwavering dedication to rail safety stems from his personal connection to the tragic event and his vow to prevent such disasters in the future.
Keyphrase: Railway Safety Advocacy
