At its Regular Meeting of Council held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury Council approved the following resolution:
Resolution 2025-343
Moved by: Councillor Scott
Seconded by: Councillor Duhaney
WHEREAS housing affordability is one of the most pressing issues facing Ontario families;
WHEREAS the federal government recently announced GST relief for first-time homebuyers on new homes, and the Province of Ontario removed the provincial share of HST on new purpose-built rental housing; and
WHEREAS the current HST rate on new homes in Ontario is 13%, which adds tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of a typical home, e.g. about $117,000 on a $900,000 home in Bradford before any existing rebates;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury calls on the Government of Canada to remove the GST/HST from all new homes purchased as primary residences, and to work in partnership with the Government of Ontario to ensure full elimination of the provincial portion as well; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be circulated to the Prime Minister of Canada, Minister of Finance and the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities; and to the Premier of Ontario, the Ontario Minister of Finance, the Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, our local MP and MPP, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and to all municipalities in Ontario.
CARRIED