NDP MPP Michael Prue is pleased that seniors living in granny flats will finally get action from the provincial government.

“This is a long overdue victory for seniors who’ve been fighting to stay in their granny flats. To assess and tax a granny flat was completely unfair and I am pleased the McGuinty government will do the right thing and change the act,” Prue said.

Granny flats are self-contained portable housing units that are installed on the same lot as the home of a close family member.

For over a year, Prue spoke on behalf of Ms. Julia Sangster, a low-income senior who resides in a granny flat in the City of Kawartha Lakes. When Sangster and her daughter applied for the right to place the structure on the daughter’s property, they agreed that, in accordance with municipal by-laws, it would be removed upon the future sale of the property.

However, according to the provincial Assessment Act, granny flats would substantially raised the value of the property and therefore is subject to excessive taxation.

Finally after of a year of trying to help Ms.Sangster’s with her assessment problems the Finance Minister announced today in the legislature that granny flats will not be subject to provincial assessment: “I believe the member for Beaches–East York, Mr. Prue, raised an issue regarding the assessment of so-called granny flats….I do want to report to the House and to the member that as a result of his inquiry and diligence on this particular file, we are going to be bringing forward an amendment to the Assessment Act to deal with it and I wanted to thank him for that and for raising the issue with us.” (Hansard October 8, 2008)

“The Minister clearly agreed with Michael Prue’s interpretation. His diligence and determination is a huge victory for me and many other seniors who are able to live independently and with dignity”, Ms. Sangster said on hearing the news.