A businessman in the Fredericton area wants a judicial review of NB Liquor’s decision to grant a Moncton operation an agency outlet near the capital.
Chris Scholten was denied an agency outlet by NB Liquor and wants to know why.
He says the Crown corporation won’t give him the information he’s looking for, so he’s going to court in the hopes of getting it.
“We’re looking for information and then, based on that information, we’re looking…to ensure that the reasonable decision was made,” says Scholten, who was one of three applicants for an agency store in Hanwell, outside of Fredericton.
NB Liquor awarded the outlet to a Moncton-based company that has yet to begin construction.
Scholten believes NB Liquor’s selection process is either flawed or wasn’t followed.
“We have our scores. We have not been allowed to see the scores of the other proponents and we have serious concerns about how that scoring process could happen, because, in our view, the math simply can’t add up.”
Scholten says his legal action is independent and does not involve the other unsuccessful agency store applicants.
“In respect to the judicial process, we’re not offering any further comment at this time,” says NB Liquor spokesperson Marcelle Saulnier.
“We thought it was a fairly simple request from day one to share information as to how this decision was made,” says Scholten. “I’m surprised that we’ve had virtually no action from any party that’s been involved.”
He says if a judicial review shows the best decision was made, he’s willing to live with that, but he’s hoping it shows otherwise, and reopens the decision-making process.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Andy Campbell
