Fighting for a fairer HST rebate

The Ontario Liberal caucus proposed cutting the HST on new homes almost a year before the Ford Government acted. We are glad that the Government has finally agreed to join us in our efforts to help families better afford to live in a wonderful community like Orléans.

Unfortunately, the Government’s structure of the HST rebate creates a unfair situation for many families. Two neighbours purchasing nearly identical homes, sometimes even closing on the same day, should not face dramatically different financial outcomes simply because one signed an Agreement of Purchase and Sale a few weeks or even a day  earlier.

I have heard from many constituents in Orléans facing this exact problem, and I agree the current “cliff-edge” approach is arbitrary and difficult to justify.

HST is ultimately paid at closing, not when the agreement is signed. In my view, eligibility should reflect that reality.

In April, I wrote to the Minister of Finance, Peter Bethlenfalvy about the HST rebate cutoff date issue.

Read the letter here

I first raised the issue in the Legislature during debate on April 13th. I then also had an opportunity to ask a Real Estate agent about the HST rebate during a committee hearing.
You can watch both of those interactions below.

In the rush to pass the Budget and change Freedom of Information legislation the Government forgot to include implementing legislation for the HST Rebate. As a result they introduced separate Legislation: Bill 114 – HST Relief Implementation Act.

I had the opportunity to debate this legislation on May 7th and had the opportunity to tell many of the stories I’ve heard in my office over the last month.

Watch the debate below.