Proposed New Brunswick toll sparks concern across trucking industry

Source: CTA

Canadian Trucking Alliance is raising serious concerns over a proposal by the Government of New Brunswick to introduce a toll by 2028 targeting out-of-province vehicles using the Aulac corridor — the only land connection between Nova Scotia and the rest of Canada.

A critical national trade corridor

The Aulac corridor supports approximately 2,500 commercial vehicles daily and facilitates nearly $35 billion in goods movement annually, making it a vital artery for Canada’s economy.

Concerns were first raised by the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association and quickly echoed by the Ontario Trucking Association, both warning of the precedent such a measure could set nationwide.

Legal and constitutional implications

According to legal analysis commissioned by the CTA, the proposed toll — which would apply only to non-resident vehicles — raises serious constitutional concerns.

“Targeting out-of-province carriers that must use the only land access point to Nova Scotia is not a constructive policy — and it’s likely unconstitutional,” said Stephen Laskowski, President and CEO of the CTA.

The Alliance argues the toll may violate mobility rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and conflict with constitutional protections against interprovincial trade barriers.

Industry calls the plan inequitable

Unlike other toll routes, the Aulac corridor represents a single-point chokepoint, making selective tolling especially problematic.

The CTA emphasizes that the trucking industry already contributes fairly to infrastructure funding through systems such as the International Registration Plan (IRP) and trip permits.

“These mechanisms ensure provinces are compensated without discriminating against non-residents,” Laskowski added. “A targeted toll is redundant and inequitable.”

Supply chain risks and national implications

The proposed toll could increase costs for carriers, impact cross-border workers, weaken Atlantic Canada’s supply chain competitiveness, and potentially trigger retaliatory measures from other provinces.

“This announcement is extremely counterproductive to federal and provincial efforts to reduce internal trade barriers,” said Chris McKee. “Good policy should reduce costs, improve trade flow, and strengthen regional integration — not expand barriers.”

CTA to escalate concerns

The CTA plans to raise the issue with the Council of the Federation, urging premiers to seek a more balanced and sustainable solution that preserves Canada’s internal trade network.