The Canadian Press New Brunswick is asking the Supreme Court of Canada (pictured) to rule that the provincial Liquor Control Act does not violate the Constitution Act.

FREDERICTON — The New Brunswick government says a battle over cross-border beer sales threatens to end Canadian federalism as it was originally conceived.

In its arguments submitted to the Supreme Court of Canada, the province says allowing a New Brunswick man to purchase alcohol in a Quebec border town could ultimately "redesign Canadian federalism."

Gerard Comeau was charged with possessing liquor not purchased from the New Brunswick Liquor Corporation and fined $292.50 after police stopped him on his way home from Quebec with 14 cases of beer and three bottles of liquor in his trunk.