HOW MANY ACADIANS WORKING AT THE ASSEMBLEE NATIONALE DE QUEBEC???

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Lord updates Quebec agreement, but no deal on labour
Last updated Apr 18 2006 03:40 PM ADT
CBC News
Quebec Premier Jean Charest and New Brunswick's Bernard Lord have signed a new deal encouraging greater co-operation between the two provinces – but without resolving the issue of labour mobility.
Lord and Charest met in Moncton on Tuesday to sign a revamped document to replace an inter-provincial agreement that was last updated in 1969. The document covers 23 topics of interest to both provinces, ranging from economic development to tourism.

However, the new deal does not change a long-standing rule that forbids New Brunswick companies from bidding on work in Quebec, but allows Quebec firms to work in New Brunswick.

Both leaders say they are working to break down barriers that prevent companies from working in both provinces.

But New Brunswick Liberal Leader Shawn Graham says it's time to demand that Charest allow contractors from the Maritime province to bid on Quebec government tenders.

Graham says it's an issue of fairness. "These are jobs that are placed under contract for government services, whether it's at the municipal level or the provincial level. And unfortunately today, as it stands, Quebec-based companies can bid on these contracts in New Brunswick. However, New Brunswick-based companies are not given the same opportunity."

Graham says his party will now introduce legislation blocking Quebec firms from bidding on government contracts in New Brunswick.

"The free market system is not working. So that's why we want to reintroduce the labour mobility act. And when the barriers are taken down in Quebec, then we would eliminate our (proposed) legislation in New Brunswick as well."

Charest and Lord are scheduled to speak at an event promoting federalism in Edmundston Tuesday evening.