(Queen’s Park) – Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop today announced that the Ministry of Finance has reversed its decision to impose retroactive tax increases on trailer park owners and occupants, as well as maple syrup producers.

The government has directed the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) to suspend further changes to the classification of maple syrup producers from farm to industrial use. It has also cancelled the retroactive tax increases on trailer park owners and occupants, which it had implemented in November 2003.

“This is an excellent example of how an effective Opposition works,” said Dunlop. “Members of the P.C. Caucus, including myself, heard the concerns of constituents on these issues, brought them to the attention of the Minister of Finance, and helped get a positive resolution to an unfair situation.”

In today’s property tax announcement, Finance Minister Greg Sorbara also promised to work with the affected groups and all Ontarians to come up with reasonable property tax assessment solutions.

“Although I’m happy the government has taken steps to fix this problem, it’s clear to me that they could have avoided the problem in the first place by consulting with maple syrup producers, trailer park owners and trailer park occupants,” said Dunlop. “I congratulate my Caucus colleagues for listening to these people and making sure the government bowed to their pressure.”

Contacts:
Garfield Dunlop
(705) 327-4500 (cell)