Stop the HST - Cost of buying, owning and selling a home to go up by 8%

With your support REALTORS® have sent more than 14,000 emails to Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) opposing a harmonized sales tax (HST). MPPs have heard from REALTORS® and now we need your help to make consumers' voices heard at Queen's Park.

Yesterday, the Government of Ontario formally launched its latest assault on homeowners, purchasers and sellers with the introduction of Bill 218, the Ontario Tax Plan for More Jobs and Growth Act, 2009 which implements the HST. Every MPP has heard REALTOR® opposition loud and clear. Now they need to hear from consumers.

Homebuyers and sellers will pay 8 per cent more on legal fees, appraisals, real estate commissions, home inspection fees, and moving costs, adding about $1,500 in new taxes to the average residential real estate transaction in Ontario.

For homeowners the HST will also add hundreds of dollars in additional tax on utility bills (gas, electricity and home heating fuel), on home renovation labour, the cost of lawn upkeep or landscaping and the cost of snow removal.

Please help Ontario REALTORS® fight this tax. In less than 30 seconds you can send an email to your MPP asking them to vote against sales tax harmonization legislation, by clicking here: http://bit.ly/stopthehst