The leader of B.C.’s official Opposition is calling for the province to cancel BC Ferries’ multi-billion-dollar contract with a Chinese shipyard.

The ferry company has faced criticism from all sides since announcing this spring it would purchase its next four vessels from China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards (CMI Weihai) after a lengthy open bid process.

No Canadian shipyards bid on the project, and the ferry company says the Chinese bid came in at about $1.2 billion cheaper than European competitors.

BC Conservative Leader John Rustad said Tuesday that in the wake of China’s latest tariffs on Canada, the deal should be scrapped. China announced a 75.8 per cent tariff on Canadian canola products this week, expected to deliver a $5 billion hit to the industry.

Rustad said the Chine

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