The Mattagami First Nation has launched a lawsuit against CN Rail in connection with two derailments back in 2015.
The First Nation said the derailments were caused by CN's negligence and they have caused damage to traditional fishing and hunting areas.
It's been more than two years since smoke clouded the air over Gogama and almost one year since CN promised to fix the mess made by the 39-car derailment.
The new chief of the Mattagami First Nation said now that the Transportation Safety Board has presented its findings and report, the time for compensation has come.
"Mattagami First Nation has decided to go forward with a lawsuit or the environmental impact that has been done on our traditional territory," said Chief Chad Boissoneau.
Last fall, CN was on the scene in Gogama and it promised to repair the situation
"We're going to be here for the duration, until it's cleaned to the satisfaction of the regulatory agency," said Jim Feeny, CN director of public affairs, during an interview with CTV back in 2015.
However, the environmental outrage continued and it pushed locals to picket the CN main line in October of last year.
"The fish swam in the water. I don't eat the fish. I don't. I just don't trust it. They've ruined my way of life. I just want them to clean the oil out of our river. This year, not next year," said Betty Naveau, a Mattagami First Nation member, back in 2016.
Boissoneau hopes the lawsuit will bring change.
"The intention of the lawsuit is to get back and remediate that river. Clean it up to a point that we feel comfortable with it, not what CN feels comfortable with," he said.
Mattagami First Nation isn't the only community suing CN.
Plans are in the works for a similar suit on behalf of the people of Gogama.
