An Ontario NDP plan to fix Ontario’s unfair property assessment system today won the support of a high-profile local McGuinty Liberal.

Douglas Jure, president of the Barrie Ontario Liberal riding association, told the Ontario Legislature’s Finance Committee that it’s time for real action to protect seniors from skyrocketing property assessments that are driving them from their homes. He said the real action that’s needed is the NDP’s ”Freeze Till Sale” property assessment model.

NDP MPP Michael Prue, Chair of the NDP’s Task Force on Assessment and Property Tax and a member of the Finance Committee, welcomed the support.

“I am encouraged that even McGuinty Liberals are seeing the light. Ontario’s property tax system is unfair, it’s broken, it needs to be fixed, and it’s the NDP that will lead the charge,” Prue said.

“The NDP’s Freeze Till Sale model will freeze the assessed value of your home at its purchase price for as long as you own your home. It will replace the McGuinty Liberals’ unfair, arbitrary and punishing property assessment system - and make property assessment fair, predictable and easier to understand," Prue said.

Mr. Jure also reminded the committee of the urgent need for McGuinty to “upload the download” – that is, to take back responsibilities for provincially mandated social services, social housing and public health.

Across Ontario, each and every presentation made to the Finance Committee heard similar requests – that the province must assume full responsibilities for its mandated programs.

“Property taxpayers and municipalities have shouldered this unfair burden for too long,” said Prue. “The NDP Freeze Till Sale plan and uploading the download will end assessment volatility and keep people in their homes until they choose to sell. Municipalities will be able to go back to paying for municipal services, not provincially – mandated ones.”