Property Assessment

Fair, Predictable and Stable Property Tax Needed Now

Sky-high property assessments are whacking homeowners across Ontario – especially seniors and people on fixed incomes.

Dalton McGuinty says he’s seized with the issue. He’s seized all right. Seized like a rusty engine.

New Democrats stand up for homeowners. We believe homeowners deserve a fair, predictable, stable property assessments – not the astonishingly inaccurate, bullying, manipulative, self-serving and cutthroat system condemned by Ontario’s Ombudsman – that ends up forcing people out of their homes.

Dalton McGuinty promised positive change. Instead of progress, we’re seeing the same old approach – passing the buck on the issue until after the next provincial election – setting homeowners up for a huge shock from a ticking tax bomb.

New Democrats have a fresh idea – the Freeze Till Sale property assessment model. The new model - put forward by the NDP's Task Force on Assessment and Property Tax - would freeze the assessed value of your home at its purchase price for as long as you own your home. It would replace the McGuinty Liberals' unfair, arbitrary and punishing property assessment system - and make property assessment fair, predictable and easier to understand.

Show your support for fair property assessment. Work with us on positive solutions that make a real difference -- and join the NDP in the fight for working families.

LINKS

	Read the Report Read the Final Report of the NDP Task Force on Assessment and Property Tax. It has an in depth explaination of the “Freeze Until Sale” plan as well as excerpts of what ordinary Ontarians told the Task Force as it toured the province.
	Sign The Petition Send McGuinty a message by showing your support for a dependable and fair system of property assessment.
	Download a Petition Get your friends, family and neighbours to show their support for a fair and dependable system of property assessment. HERE
	Download the “Freeze Until Sale" leaflet Download a pdf of the NDP Caucus leaflet which calls for a fair and dependable system of property assessment. HERE[1.5MB]
	Write a Letter Visit our online action centre and write a letter to your local newspaper expressing your support for fair and affordable property assessment
	Take part in an event NDP MPPs are holding events across Ontario, Check out our listing and come on out to an event near you.
	Call our Property Assessment Hotline Call our Property Assessment Hotline at 1-866-909-9952. It’s a toll free phone call from anywhere in Ontario. You can express your support and find out about upcoming events.

Filed Under: Yes | Property Assessment | Finance

Government must come clean on new land tax rates: NDP’s Prue

date: August 13, 2008 - 9:00am

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NDP finance critic Michael Prue has called upon the McGuinty government to come clean on new property tax rates for properties in unincorporated areas.

A new Land Tax system is being put in place effective January 1, 2009, and all that affected property tax owners know at this point is that the new system will be based on the same current market value assessment that is presently in place in incorporated municipalities.

Filed Under: Property Assessment | Michael Prue | Housing | Finance

Prue protects seniors with Assessment Act change

date: May 29, 2008 - 3:00pm

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NDP Finance Critic Michael Prue used today’s Question Period to press the McGuinty government to change the Assessment Act to protect low-income seniors.

Prue’s change would end the present practice of taxing so-called “Granny Flats” (modular homes). Granny Flats are self-contained small units that are placed on lots usually belonging to adult children of senior citizens.

Filed Under: Property Assessment | Michael Prue | Seniors | Finance

Faulty tower assessment hits Toronto hard

date: February 28, 2008 - 12:00pm

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The Assessment Review Board’s recent decision to allow the property assessment appeal of six of Toronto’s largest office towers is yet another glaring example of a faulty property assessment system that badly needs fixing, says NDP Property Tax and Assessment Task Force Chair Michael Prue.

Filed Under: Property Assessment | Michael Prue | Finance | Municipal Affairs and Housing

HAMPTON FREEZE TILL SALE PLAN WILL FIX UNFAIR PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS

date: August 22, 2007 - 4:00pm

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NDP Leader Howard Hampton will deliver a fair deal for people who are fed up 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. Dalton McGuinty has abandoned hard-working homeowners. He denied them long-term relief, instead preferring to delay real action to fix property assessments until after the provincial election,” Hampton said.

Filed Under: Property Assessment | Howard Hampton, Leader | Finance | Finance