‘Home stretch’ for Toronto tax vote

Both sides of debate on vehicle registration and land transfer tax gear up for final week of lobbying

It’s a week to go until the crucial October 22 vote at city hall, and groups for and against the land transfer tax and vehicle registration fee are strategizing over how best to influence Toronto councillors.

“Clearly we’re in the home stretch. This is a critical time,” said Von Palmer, a spokesperson for the Toronto Real Estate Board, a group vehemently opposed to the house purchase tax Mayor David Miller wants to implement to address the city’s serious revenue shortfall.

Leading up to the July vote at city hall on the two controversial taxes, groups like the real estate group and Toronto Board of Trade lobbied councillors heavily.

See full story in the Toronto Star »