Calgary Alberta - Canadian Pacific Railway says it will fight a $409 million lawsuit the province of Quebec has launched over the 2013 Lake Megantic oil train explosion that killed 47 people.
 
The lawsuit filed in Quebec Superior Court alleges CP was negligent in handing over the tank cars to Montreal Maine & Atlantic Railway (MMA), the now-defunct company that was in possession of the 74-car train left unattended before it rolled into Lake Megantic and wiped out much of the town's core.
 
The lawsuit also accuses CP of failing to take steps to prevent the disaster.
 
"CP intends to fully defend itself in court," a company spokesman said on Monday.
 
CP hauled the oil train from its origin in North Dakota to Montreal, where it handed over the cars to MMA.
 
The train was destined for Irving Oil's refinery in Saint John.
 
In October, CP dropped its objections to a $446 million compensation fund for victims, allowing the settlements to begin flowing.
 
Of about 24 settling parties, including Irving Oil, CP was the sole company refusing to pay into the fund, a stance that leaves it open to possible future damage claims.
 
CP has been named in a Quebec class-action lawsuit over the disaster, but says there is no court date in the matter.
 
In addition, the company is facing wrongful death, personal injury, and property damage lawsuits in Maine, Texas, and Illinois in connection with Lake Megantic.
 
In October, the company said it is too soon to estimate the costs of any potential liabilities stemming from Lake Megantic, and that it will "vigorously defend itself in the proceedings and in any proceedings that may be commenced in the future."
 
The Lake Megantic tragedy highlighted the dangers posed by an increasing amount of oil being moved by rail.
 
Regulators responded by imposing speed limits on certain trains, and phasing in rules requiring tank cars to be better built to withstand crashes.
 
Eric Atkins.