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.

MPP Andrea Horwath, the NDP critic for government and consumer services, says people who purchase sub-standard new homes deserve to have Ontario’s Ombudsman looking out for their best interests.

“Ombudsman oversight is the sure and best way to bring real accountability and real solutions regarding the systemic problems experienced by the new home-buying public,” Horwath said.

NDP Housing Critic Cheri DiNovo (Parkdale-High Park) used today’s Question Period to reveal the McGuinty government’s dirty and not-so-little affordable housing secret – a $200-million funding shortfall.

MPP Andrea Horwath, the NDP critic for government and consumer services, says people who purchase sub-standard new homes deserve to have Ontario’s Ombudsman looking out for their best interests.

Currently the Ombudsman has no authority to oversee Tarion, the McGuinty government’s “arm’s length” private agency, when it fails to compensate and satisfy the purchasers of shoddily built new homes under its warranty program.

In response to a question by NDP Housing Critic Cheri DiNovo, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Jim Watson admitted that Ontario has only 486 occupied rental and supportive units under its Affordable Housing Program that rent for under $500.

NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo today tabled a Private Members Bill which recognizes that every person in Ontario has a right to adequate housing.

The Bill entitled Right to Housing Act, 2008 is supported by the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee, St. Stephen’s House, The Wellesley Institute, and other housing stakeholders across the province.