Thomas Harding, Montreal Maine and Atlantic Canada Co. (MMAC), and Canadian Pacific Railway are now the three official defendants.

“(These two respondents) were the last piece of the puzzle and we believe they will provide the court with the entire perspective that is needed,” he said.

Harding’s lawyer was not immediately available for comment.

The class action had been stayed pending MMAC bankruptcy proceedings in the United States and Canada.

The $450-million settlement fund was tied to the bankruptcy protection proceedings for MMAC, which were overseen in Canada by Andrew Adessky, the court-appointed monitor.

Addesky said all of the wrongful death claimants have received compensation and challenges have been settled.

“We’re cognizant of the fact people have been waiting and are eager to put this behind them. We will continue to work as fast as we can to get this resolved.”

Aside from the class action lawsuit, Canadian Pacific is facing a $409-million lawsuit brought forth by the Quebec government related to the derailment.

It is also dealing with two other claims in the United States totalling more than $200 million (U.S.).

CP maintains it had no responsibility in the disaster because it handed off the trains to MMAC for the final leg of the journey.

Quebec’s $409-million suit is back in court Nov. 8 in Lac-Megantic, followed by the class action proceedings on Nov. 10 in Sherbrooke.