Finance committee  I don't have anything specific that I would like to raise, but if you have any other questions, I'm certainly happy to answer them.

Finance committee  Hi there. I think it would help if we just stepped back a little bit. It's a topic that's relatively complex, as Mr. Chambers was mentioning. The GST is a very effective revenue source. As the economy is evolving, we need to protect the tax base. The way in which the ETA, the Excise Tax Act, is structured at the moment is that it's based on there being a supplier and a recipient and there being consideration.

Finance committee  Yes. I'm not sure if there's a question in there, but....

Finance committee  I think that's probably an off-line conversation.

Finance committee  Yes.

Finance committee  Right now, many assignment sales are already subject to the tax, so there's a market price on those types of housing. Theoretically, a lot of the current money could be going to people making those assignment sales.

Finance committee  The GST or HST would apply to the whole amount, the assignment sale amount. For example, if the original price that the builder was charging was $400,000, GST or HST would be collected when that closes. Then, on the assignment sale, for $100,000, let's say, it would apply on that as well.

Finance committee  It's the case for many, but not for all.

Finance committee  In a particular unit, it really depends on the particular thing being sold. There are other factors that come into play when you have those types of sales. There's also the new housing rebate, which in some cases can actually increase.... I think you'd have to provide a specific example with specific facts to be able to answer that question.

Finance committee  Not necessarily....

Finance committee  For example, if you have two assignors, one who wasn't required to collect and the other who was required to collect and they were both charging the same amount, just because the second person is now required to collect, the prices may not change overall.