Tax credit meets mixed response from dealers

LONGUEUIL, Que. — The Quebec building materials association, AQMAT, welcomes Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s pledge to introduce a permanent tax credit for home renovations, while warning against possible adverse effects. According to AQMAT President Richard Darveau, the proposed program would provide incentives for homeowners to hire contractors, but its usefulness is undermined by a cap on the amount eligible. The association has suggested removing the caps while limiting the credits to renovations on a principal residence. The proposed program has attracted further criticism because the Harper government admits it can’t afford to implement the tax credit until mid-way through its next elected period.