Federal Transport Minister Lisa Raitt to visit Lac-Megantic

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A logo for Montreal Maine and Atlantic railway is shown on a MMA locomotive engine outside their offices in the town of Farnham, Que., on July 11, 2013. The company involved in the deadly Quebec train derailment has laid off one-quarter of its workforce in the province. A union representing employees at the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway says the company has laid off 19 of its 75 workers in Quebec. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

LAC-MEGANTIC, Que. – The new federal transport minister will visit Lac-Megantic this afternoon to get a first-hand look at the devastated community.

Lisa Raitt and local MP Christian Paradis will also speak to reporters.

A train carrying crude oil derailed in Lac-Megantic on July 6 and exploded, triggering a massive blaze that engulfed much of the downtown core.

Search crews have found the remains of 38 people, with another 12 missing and presumed dead.

Raitt will no doubt face tough questions about moving the railway tracks out of town.

Elected officials from Lac-Megantic and surrounding communities expressed their concern on Tuesday at having rail tracks running through their towns.

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