Marie-Claude Arguin is Director, Strategy and Architecture, IT Services, Queen's and former City Manager of Lac Mégantic, Québec.

No one could have prepared the Town’s Administration for managing the aftermath of the tragic events that took place on July 6, 2013, when a train carrying crude oil derailed, destroying everything on its path. Yet, what the world witnessed over the following months is the courage of a resilient community, led by an amazing team of public administrators. Their political courage and perseverance should be studied as a humble example that public management can be extremely challenging.