DST WILL MAKE HOME OWNERSHIP UNAFFORDABLE FOR MANY KINGSTON FAMILIES: HUDAK

(Kingston, ON) – Leader of the Opposition Tim Hudak (MPP Niagara West-Glanbrook) and Critic for Revenue and Government Accountability, Lisa MacLeod (MPP Nepean-Carleton) visited a home in Kingston today to highlight the negative impact the ‘Dalton Sales Tax’ or DST will have on home buyers in the province. The DST is the merger of the PST and GST into one tax, which means the 8 per cent PST will be applied to a whole new range of goods and services including those associated with buying a home such as home inspections, real estate commissions and legal fees.

“Buying a home is the largest single investment that most of us will make in our lifetime,” Hudak said. “However, Dalton McGuinty’s latest tax grab will make the idea of home ownership simply unaffordable for many Ontario families, particularly first time buyers.”

The Ontario Real Estate Association estimates purchasing an average house in the GTA valued at $360,000 would add another $1,855 in DST on to the closing costs, which are home inspections, real estate commissions, title insurance and legal fees – all items that were previously not taxed. Hudak said a young family looking to buy a typical single detached house in Kingston, priced at $247,000, will have to pay up to $1,300 in new taxes on the closing costs alone courtesy of the Dalton Sales Tax.

“The Dalton Sales Tax is literally a tax on the Canadian value of home ownership.” MacLeod said. “When you consider that the DST will also cost home buyers more when they pay the movers, replace the kitchen cabinets and even heat their homes – the DST is going to be simply unaffordable for many families.”

Hudak and MacLeod called on Ontario home buyers to join them in the fight to stop the DST by signing a petition to show the Liberals that families in the province oppose this massive tax grab, which will also place an additional 8 per cent tax on such other goods and services as gasoline, dry cleaning and haircuts.

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For More Information:

Jennifer Reid

(416) 325-1330