Ontario Contractor Alleges New Brunswick Violated Internal Trade Rules

An Ontario construction company has accused the New Brunswick government of discriminating against outofprovince contractors in favor of local firms, in a case now being heard under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement in Fredericton. Julmac Contracting Ltd. says the province treated it less favorably on several bridge and infrastructure projects, including work tied to the Anderson Bridge replacement in Miramichi, the Mactaquac Dam bridge, the Centennial Bridge, and the Nashwaak Bridge area near Fredericton. The company alleges that New Brunswick waived requirements for local firms while holding Julmac to stricter standards, increasing its costs and slowing approvals. At the hearing, lawyer David Outerbridge compared the province’s approach to protectionism and argued that the case could test how Canada’s internal trade rules are applied. A panel of three trade lawyers from Ontario and British Columbia is expected to hear the matter over five days, with several provinces taking part as intervenors. Julmac is asking for a ruling that New Brunswick violated the agreement and should treat outside contractors the same as local companies.