NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says fees by Marine Atlantic “act as a tariff” for Newfoundland and Labrador, saying his government if elected, would lower the cost of using the ferry system.

The provincial government said last month that the fees imposed through Marine Atlantic act as a “barbed wire, chain-link gate,” to people of this province, adding that they will not participate in a Canada-wide free trade agreement.

In a one-on-one interview with VOCM News, Singh called it “unfair” to the people of this province.

“So we’re going to fight to lower the cost now. We need to make it easier. We have to bring down those burdens, bring down those costs, because it’s hurting the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, whether it’s bringing in goods or sending out goods. It’s an extra cost. So we’ve got to tackle that.”