Media Release for October 4, 2007

NDP would freeze tax assessment until property sold and deliver a fair deal, says Felicite Stairs

RENFREW: Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke NDP candidate Felicite Stairs says the NDP will deliver a fair deal for people who are frustrated with the unfair and arbitrary way Dalton McGuinty assesses their homes for taxes.

“It’s not right that unfair property assessments are causing seniors, people on fixed incomes and young families to lose their homes because they can’t afford sky-rocketing property taxes. Dalton McGuinty has abandoned hard-working homeowners,” Stairs said.

Property owners in Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke are particularly affected, because many properties have gone up in value due to land speculation. “The MPAC system brought in by the Conservatives and maintained by the Liberals, despite promises, has been a disaster for ratepayers,” said Stairs. “Decisions are arbritrary and almost impossible to appeal. And with the download of provincial responsibilities to municipalities, property taxes have skyrocketed for many.”

Stairs is also critical of what Conservatives are offering in this election. “Their plan of capping the increase on property taxes at five percent per year, which is higher than the cost-of-living increases people on fixed incomes get, will mean an increase of 20 percent or more over four years, which fixed-income people can't afford,” she said.

The NDP “Freeze ‘Til Sale” property assessment model will freeze the assessed value of a home at its purchase price as long as the owner stays in their home. When a home changes hands, the sale price becomes the new assessed value. Only the Freeze Till Sale model will provide the kind of long-term property tax predictability people deserve.

“The problem with Dalton McGuinty’s property tax policies is that they have done nothing to fix the underlying problems that are driving up assessments in the first place. So when Mr. McGuinty’s temporary assessment freeze comes off, property taxpayers are going to get hit with years of pent-up property assessment increases,” said Stairs.

“Voters recognize that Dalton McGuinty is out of touch and is letting working families down. New Democrats have led the debate in putting forward ideas that will make a practical difference in the day-to-day lives of hard-working families. We have focused on making life more affordable for everyday families by fighting for a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work; a cleaner, healthier environment; removing barriers to university, college and training; a balanced approach to taxation; investing in public health care and re-listing services; and making sure our children get the education and support they deserve,” she said.

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