Andrea Horwath, the new leader of Ontario’s NDP, says Dalton McGuinty’s “unfair tax grab” will hurt hundreds of thousands of condo owners across the province.

“For a new homeowner paying the bills can be a real struggle, especially in tough times. Instead of making housing more affordable, the McGuinty Liberals Harmonized Sales Tax will mean hundreds of dollars more per year in condo fees,” said the NDP Leader.

Although the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) does not apply directly to condo fees, it will add 8 per cent to many of the services that make up condo fees, such as hydro, contracted services, landscaping, repairs and maintenance.

According to Murray Johnson, Regional Manager with Brookfield Residential, the HST will apply, on average, to 85 per cent of condo expenses. That means the HST translates into, on average, a roughly 7 per cent increase in condo fees.

According to the 2006 Census, there are over 350,000 condominium units in Ontario and 225,000 in Toronto.

“For condo owners that pay monthly fees of $400, a 7 per cent increase will mean $325 a year,” said Horwath. “The HST is an unfair tax that makes life less affordable for middle-income Ontarians.”

Horwath was joined by Linda Pinnizotto, President of the Trinity Spadina Condo Owners Association, Rosario Marchese, MPP Trinity-Spadina, and Toronto condo owners.

To find out more about Horwath’s campaign, visit www.unfairtaxgrab.com