Families of truck accident victims are refusing to claim victory in a public coroner's inquest, fearing that too many Quebecers will die on our roads before it is completed.
“Following the coroner's recommendations, priority must be given to this. If this is shelved and we implement it in two years, unfortunately there are other people who will pay with their lives,” worries Natalie Poulin.
Her daughter Alexandra Poulain died in December 2024 in Vallée Jonchin, in the Chaudiere-Appalaches, when the cargo of a heavy truck allegedly overturned the 26-year-old woman's car while turning.
Nathalie Poulain has since taken it upon herself to contact MPs and ministers so that authorities can explore the world of freight transport in particular.
So the holding of a public inquiry into heavy truck fatalities, announced by the chief coroner on Thursday, is a source of relief.
The focus will also be on the Aug. 27 deaths of Tanya Lalonde, 34, and Elliott, her 5-year-old son, on Highway 30 near Boucherville.
Tanya Lalonde died in the tragedy.
Photo taken from Facebook
The plan is to “create a broader understanding of the road safety issues that will be highlighted,” the coroner's office said in a press release.
“[L’enquête] necessary and we must take the time to do everything well, emphasizes Nathalie Poulain. “It won’t make my pain go away, but it will show me that it didn’t happen in vain.”
Act urgently
For Melanie Seguin, “better late than never.”
In July 2022, a semi-trailer driver allegedly struck and killed his daughter-in-law, 42-year-old Nancy Lefrancois, and her 11-year-old son Loic on Highway 30 on Montreal's south shore.
Baljeet Singh reportedly left the country quickly at that time. The 29-year-old was arrested in the United States this summer and then formally charged with dangerous driving causing death earlier this month in Quebec.
Nancy Lefrancois and her son Loïc Chevalier were killed in this collision.
Photo taken from Facebook
Mto me Seguin admits he's “pessimistic” about the idea that the investigation will bring culpable truckers who cross Quebec to justice. Moreover, the problem extends throughout the province.
“We need to act urgently,” she stresses, already fearing the devastating consequences of the coming winter. For some families it’s too late, but for most Canadian families it’s not too late.”
So many flaws
In an interview, Nathalie Poulin and Mélanie Seguin assure us that the time has come to tighten the screws on the freight industry.
Examples include higher fines, mandatory revocation of driver's licenses during a police investigation after a serious accident, or measures to block the route of suspects wishing to leave the country.
Marc Cadieux, CEO of the Quebec Freight Forwarders Association
Photo of Francis's character
The shortcomings that need to be addressed are so important that a commission of inquiry should be created, as in the case of the SAAQclic fiasco, said Marc Cadieux, director general of the Quebec Association of Freight Forwarders.
“These are companies that hire drivers at a discount, pay them a discount, that do not pay social compensation, do not pay [cotisations à la] CNESST, vacation, sick leave,” he insists.
