One of the province’s representatives in Ottawa says he is disappointed with the rate increases at Marine Atlantic, and he will be advocating to try to find a solution.

Ken McDonald acknowledges that the federal government heavily influences the prices at Marine Atlantic through the cost recovery model that they impose.

However, he asserts that the increase isn’t necessarily driven by the federal government.

McDonald explains that the last time there was a rate increase local MPs complained about it, and they were told by the federal Transportation Minister that Ottawa doesn’t ask Marine Atlantic to put their rates up or down, they just approve the price when it is submitted by the organization.

McDonald says he will “definitely” be pushing for action on the rate increases because this is not the time to put a rate increase on anyone.