Chambers of commerce, Red Cross set up fund to help rebuild Lac-Mégantic business community
by Canadian Manufacturing Daily Staff
Roughly 35 businesses, more than 95 businesses affected by deadly rail disaster
MONTREAL—The local and provincial chambers of commerce have teamed up with the Canadian Red Cross to help businesses affected by the deadly rail disaster in an eastern Quebec town.
The Chambre de commerce de la région de Mégantic and the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) together with the Red Cross have established a fund and are appealing to the Quebec and Canadian business community to help their counterparts affected by the tragedy in Lac-Mégantic, Que.
According to the Red Cross, the derailment and ensuing explosions and fire that devastated the town destroyed roughly 35 businesses and more than 95 businesses were affected.
Many self-employed professionals have also lost everything.
“It could take years for these businesses to get back on their feet. We are stepping up to the plate to help them in their time of need,” FCCQ CEO Françoise Bertrand said in a statement.
“Our network of chambers of commerce was built on the values of mutual aid and community spirit. That is why we are reaching out to our fellow business professionals and asking them to support our friends in Lac-Mégantic in order to rebuild the momentum required to restore their economic pride.”
