Windsor homebuilders, realtors welcome Tory proposal to nix GST on new homes
A new home is seen under construction in the GreenLeaf Trails development in Harrow, Ontario.
The presidents of the Windsor Essex Home Builders’ Association (WEHBA) and the Windsor Essex County Association of Realtors (WECAR) welcome the federal Conservatives’ proposal to eliminate the GST on new home construction, but caution it shouldn’t come at the expense of existing programs.
“It’s a great idea,” said WEHBA president Brent Klundert, who added it’s something builders across the country have been requesting. Nixing the GST will save local buyers an average of $40,000 to $50,000 and directly improve affordability, they said.
“The more we eliminate or minimize taxes on a new home, the more it’ll affect affordability of all homes going forward,” said Klundert.
WECAR president Maggie Chen called the plan “great news for Windsor and Essex County buyers and builders.”
Chen said the appeal of the program is the immediacy of the impact on buyers it will have if implemented.
