NDP promises 50% sales tax rebate on new home construction

Last Updated: Monday, May 18, 2009 | 5:01 PM ET

CBC News

While the Tory and Liberal leaders took a break from the hustings on the Victoria Day holiday, NDP Leader Darrell Dexter remained on the campaign trail Monday to promote a key plank in his party’s platform aimed at the home construction industry.

Dexter promised that if he's elected premier on June 9, his party would offer a 50 per cent rebate on the provincial sales tax on new homes. The NDP leader said the tax rebate would cost the government $10.5 million.

"Although it is a cost item in the budget, I think it would cost a lot more if … we just deserted the home building industry and didn't try to provide what I think was very aptly described as stimulus for the hammer-ready sector," Dexter said.

He added that his plan will employ approximately 3,000 people.

Andrew Holley, a construction manager for Integrity Homes, endorses the NDP's election promise, adding it will kick-start construction on new homes.

Holley said sales of new homes have collapsed over the past year. His company built 50 homes last year compared to only selling six homes this year.

"The sales just haven't come back," Holley told CBC News on Monday. "There's traffic in the model homes. People are looking but no one seems to want to get off the fence," he said.

Getting ready for leaders' debate

Meanwhile, Tory leader Rodney MacDonald, Liberal leader Stephen McNeil and Dexter were getting ready for their first face-to-face debate on Tuesday since the Nova Scotia election was called on May 5.

The debate will be televised live between 7 to 8 p.m. AT on CBC with streaming video on the CBC Nova Scotia website. CBC News: Nova Scotia at Six host Jim Nunn will moderate.

It is one of two debates sponsored by CBC and the Chronicle Herald newspaper. The second debate will be held on June 2 at the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic site in Baddeck, N.S. Both news media outlets will solicit questions from readers, viewers and listeners for the three leaders to answer.

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Overall Results

Overall Election Results
Party	Elected	Leading	Total	Vote Share (%)
Updated: Jun. 9, 2009, 10:11 PM ADT
NDP	31	0	31	45.26
LIB	11	0	11	27.22
PC	10	0	10	24.52
GRN	0	0	0	2.33
IND	0	0	0	0.67

Choose a format to view results for all ridings and parties:

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All results are unofficial until final ballot counts are verified by Elections Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia Votes Headlines

Dexter to present budget in early fall: The day after his party's historic win, Nova Scotia NDP Leader Darrell Dexter said it will be early fall before his government will be able to present a budget in the legislature.
N.S. voter turnout 59 per cent: preliminary count: Voter turnout was 59 per cent Tuesday among Nova Scotians who were registered prior to the provincial election, an Elections Nova Scotia spokesman said Wednesday.
Michael tips hat to Dexter on NDP win in N.S.: Newfoundland and Labrador's New Democratic Party leader has sent a congratulatory message to Nova Scotia premier-designate Darrell Dexter, following Tuesday night's resounding win in that province's election.
N.S. voters elect 1st NDP government: Nova Scotia has its first NDP government — and a majority government at that — ending a decade of rule by the Progressive Conservatives, who have been reduced to third-party status.
MacDonald's Tories turfed by disenchanted voters: Nova Scotia voters refused to give the Progressive Conservatives a fourth straight mandate in Tuesday's provincial election.

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