The B.C. government is trying to give more West Coast companies an Alberta advantage.
Alberta government procurement opportunities are now posted via the B.C. government's BC Bid website.
Suppliers checking out the B.C. site can directly access the Alberta Purchasing Connection web pages.
The sites offer details on B.C. and Alberta government construction projects and all other contract opportunities.
"We just give more open access to procurement opportunities and allow people an opportunity to see what's going on in the neighbouring province," says Alex Dabrowski, a spokesman for the B.C. Labour and Citizens' Services Ministry.
B.C. and Alberta have a Trade Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA) that attempts to remove inter-provincial business barriers. Dabrowski says the access to Alberta procurements is part of a push under TILMA to move more information across provincial boundaries.
"This instant and direct access to opportunities beyond the British Columbia border will help our suppliers expand their market and grow their businesses," B.C. Labour and Citizens' Services Minister Iain Black said in a statement.
Black estimated the number of procurements available via the B.C. site will jump 30 per cent.
While many of TILMA's provisions are already in effect, the deal fully kicks in next April.
The agreement is meeting up with some opposition.
The Council of Canadians says future restrictions will limit the way municipalities, academic institutions, school boards and the health sector - known collectively as MASH - engage in contracts.
The council says Alberta MASH contracts beginning at $75,000 for goods and services tenders and $200,000 for construction projects must be opened up to companies from outside local communities.
The group also claims B.C. companies that are not allowed to bid on such Alberta projects could sue the Alberta government for up to $5 million, jeopardizing local Albertan small businesses and economies.
"This is a direct assault on small businesses within Alberta and threatens local industries from developing sustainable local economies," Sheila Muxlow, Prairie regional organizer for the Council of Canadians, said in a statement.
The B.C. government has agreed to consult municipalities on the issue, but the council says Premier Gordon Campbell's Liberals have failed to warn British Columbians about TILMA's dangers.
But Dabrowski says he does not know whether the posting of Alberta procurements via the B.C. site was required under TILMA.
He adds he's not aware of any discussions to make other provinces' procurement opportunities directly accessible from the B.C. site.
Web Watch: www.bcbid.gov.bc.ca (Monte Stewart can be reached at monte@businessedge.ca)
