Former Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse and his wife are currently in a legal battle with the Ontario government regarding the reimbursement of approximately $700,000 in foreign buyer tax they paid for their Mississauga residence. A notice of appeal, dated July 6 and lodged with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, asserts that the provincial government unjustly rejected Nurse and his wife’s application for a rebate on a non-resident speculation tax (NRST) they paid when purchasing their home for $4.65 million in 2021.
The NRST is levied on residential properties acquired by “individuals who are foreign nationals,” as outlined on the province’s official website. The appeal contends that Nurse and his wife were not the type of real estate investors the legislation aimed to target, emphasizing that the property served as their principal residence from 2021 to 2023.
The document highlights that Nurse and his wife were foreign nationals in Canada during their stay at the residence, with Nurse holding a foreign national work permit and being employed by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment LTD., the parent company of the Raptors, for nearly a decade. The appeal underscores the significant economic and social contributions Nurse made to the province during his tenure.
Nurse, renowned for leading the Raptors to their inaugural NBA championship victory in 2019, was relieved of his coaching duties in 2023 following a lackluster season that saw the team miss the playoffs. Subsequently, he assumed coaching responsibilities for the Philadelphia 76ers.
The appeal indicates that Nurse and his wife were eligible for an NRST rebate on their property in accordance with provincial regulations. However, their rebate application was dismissed by the province due to not meeting the occupancy requirement at the time of the application submission.
The couple initiated the rebate application process in March 2024, subsequent to selling their Mississauga home in September 2023. Despite contesting the initial denial through a notice of objection, the government upheld its decision in April 2024. Consequently, Nurse and his wife pursued legal action, seeking a rebate of $697,500 plus accrued interest and any other appropriate remedies determined by the court.