Former Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse and his spouse are currently entangled in a legal conflict with the Ontario government concerning their claim for a reimbursement of close to $700,000 in foreign buyer tax paid on their residence in Mississauga. A notice of appeal, dated July 6 and submitted to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, asserts that the provincial authorities unjustly declined to provide Nurse and his spouse with a refund for a non-resident speculation tax (NRST) they paid upon purchasing their property for $4.65 million in 2021.
The NRST is levied on residential properties bought by “individuals who are foreign nationals,” as stated on the province’s official website. The notice argues that Nurse and his spouse Roberta did not fall into the category of real estate speculators that the legislative body intended to target. The document further clarifies that the property served as the primary residence for Nurse and his wife from 2021 to 2023.
While residing at the property, Nurse and his spouse were considered foreign nationals in Canada, as per the notice. Despite this, Nurse held a work permit for foreign nationals and had been employed by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment LTD., the parent company of the Raptors, for nearly a decade. The appeal highlights that Nurse contributed significantly to the economic and social fabric of the province.
Nurse achieved a historic milestone by leading the Raptors to their inaugural championship victory in 2019. Following a lackluster season in 2023 that saw the team miss the playoffs, Nurse was relieved of his coaching duties and subsequently took on a coaching role with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The notice of appeal contends that Nurse and his spouse met the eligibility criteria for an NRST rebate on their property, according to provincial regulations. The legal representative for the couple, Mike Collinge, declined to provide further comments at this time.
The appeal emphasizes that the couple applied for a rebate in March 2024, subsequent to selling their Mississauga home in September 2023. Despite their efforts, the application was turned down in April 2024, prompting Nurse and his spouse to lodge a notice of objection against the decision. After a series of communications with the ministry, the government confirmed its rejection on April 10 of the current year.
In their appeal, Nurse and his spouse are seeking a rebate of $697,500 in addition to applicable interest and any other relief deemed suitable by the court.