An outgoing MHA who has doggedly pursued federal authorities over the cost of travel by ferry between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia says Ottawa violated the Constitution when it lowered commercial rates on ferries in Quebec and the Maritimes, but not Newfoundland.

Prime Minister Mark Carney cut passenger and commercial rates on all ferry services except Marine Atlantic, which saw a reduction only in passenger costs, not commercial costs.

Corner Brook MHA Gerry Byrne says cutting the fees for carrying cargo across the gulf would improve many economic indicators in Newfoundland and Labrador including household income and consumer spending.

Instead, he says Ottawa widened the competitive gap between businesses in this province and those in our neighbouring provinces.

He says lowering the commercial rates on Marine Atlantic by 50 per cent would result in the creation of about 1,200 new jobs.