Objections filed against Frederictons move to take over Exhibition Grounds

New BrunswickThe City of Fredericton’s attempt to expropriate the exhibition grounds will be met with opposition. Four parties have filed objections, according to the province’s expropriation officer.Four parties will have a chance to state their case against the City of FrederictonOliver Pearson · CBC News · Posted: Nov 21, 2025 4:09 PM EST | Last Updated: 1 hour agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.The City of Fredericton is hoping to take back the Exhibition Grounds from several businesses to make the land available for housing. (Aidan Cox/CBC)Businesses operating on the Exhibition Grounds in Fredericton are fighting the city’s attempt to expropriate the leasehold interest of the land.François Carrier, the expropriation officer, says four parties filed objections: Fredericton Exhibition Ltd. Trouw Nutrition Canada, 2 Pats Enterprises and William’s Seafood.Trouw Nutrition Canada is the company that owns Feeds’n Needs and 2 Pats Enterprises owns the Tim Hortons on Smythe Street.All of the objecting parties declined interviews with CBC News.WATCH | Exhibition Grounds businesses fight against city takeover:Business on the Exhibition Grounds in Fredericton object to expropriationFour businesses have filed objections to the City of Fredericton’s plan to remove them from the Exhibition Grounds. The provincial expropriation officer says the next step is a public hearing. Carrier, an Edmundston lawyer who is independent and paid by the province, said the deadline to file an objection was Nov. 17.The act that covers expropriations says that a public hearing should be held within 30 days after the objection deadline.Carrier said if a date within that window can’t be agreed upon by those involved, the hearing could happen later.He will host the hearing, The act says that both the city and the objecting parties will have the opportunity to present their case to him.After the hearing, Carrier will decide whether the expropriation is upheld or not.