Bill 69 2003

An Act to amend
the Assessment Act
to more fairly permit exemptions
from assessment to benefit
senior citizens and disabled persons

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

1. Paragraph 22 of subsection 3 (1) of the Assessment Act, as re-enacted by the Statutes of Ontario, 2000, chapter 25, section 2 and amended by 2002, chapter 22, section 2, is repealed and the following substituted:

Improvements for seniors and
persons with a disability

22. All alterations and improvements that are made to a parcel of land containing an existing residential unit to provide, or the portion as may be prescribed by the Minister of an existing residential unit renovated to provide, or the portion as may be prescribed by the Minister of a new residential unit constructed to provide, accommodation for or improved facilities for the accommodation of a person of at least 65 years of age or having a disability who would, but for the accommodation or improved facilities provided, have to live in other premises where on-site care would be provided to the person, if the following conditions are met:

i. the owner of the property applies to the assessment corporation for the exemption and the exemption is approved by the assessment corporation,

ii. the land is assessed as residential and comprises not more than three residential units, and

iii. the person occupying the property is not in the business of offering care to persons who are at least 65 years of age or who have a disability.

This paragraph applies to the 2004 and subsequent taxation years.

Commencement

2. This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3. The short title of this Act is the Assessment Amendment Act (Improvements for Seniors and the Disabled), 2003.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill amends the Assessment Act to extend the exemption from taxation for certain features of homes built or renovated for elderly or disabled residents. For example, the requirement in the existing provision that an alteration must have been commenced after May 15, 1984 is removed, as is the requirement that the elderly or disabled person currently be residing in the premises.