| FINANCE CRITIC HUDAK AND LOCAL MPP MACLEOD DEMAND PROTECTION FROM TRIPPLE WAMMY ASSESMENT SPIKE For Immediate Release February 5th, 2008 QUEEN’S PARK – Local MPP Lisa MacLeod, and Conservative Finance Critic Tim Hudak are urging Dalton McGuinty to protect Ottawa homeowners from the triple whammy assessment spike his Liberal government created when they froze assessments. Some Ottawa area homeowners have been hit with a whopping 45% increase on assessment of their property. “Dalton McGuinty froze assessments until conveniently after the election to dodge skyrocketing property assessments,” said MacLeod. “Now Ottawa homeowners are faced with three years of assessment increases all at once. Local property owners are being gouged because of this reckless McGuinty policy on assessments.” “Premier McGuinty should act quickly to protect homeowners,” said Conservative Finance Critic Hudak. “Capping property assessments at 5 percent per year will bring stability to taxpayers and help preserve the Canadian value of home ownership.” Ottawa property assessments skyrocketed under the McGuinty Government and failed to adequately protect homeowners by refusing to cap increases. Even the Provincial Ombudsman has said the government is dragging their feet with ‘reverse onus’, a key recommendation made two years ago. In December, Tim Hudak introduced a private members bill, the Homestead Act 2007, which would ensure the onus of justifying the increase lies with MPAC and not the individual landowner. “This so-called ‘reverse onus’ system needs to change,” said MacLeod. “It just doesn’t make sense that home owners hit with massive assessment hikes have to show they shouldn’t get hit, it should be the other way around. The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) should be the one proving why their soaring assessments are justified not the home owner.” -30- For more information please contact Jad Haffar, 416-325-6351. | 
