Former Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse and his wife are currently in a legal battle with the Ontario government concerning the reimbursement denial of nearly $700,000 in foreign buyer tax on their Mississauga residence. A notice of appeal, filed on July 6 with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, claims that the provincial government unjustly refused to provide Nurse and his wife with a rebate for a non-resident speculation tax (NRST) they paid when purchasing their $4.65 million home in 2021.
The NRST is imposed on residential properties bought by foreign nationals, as per the province’s regulations. Nurse and his wife, according to the appeal, do not fall under the category of real estate speculators the legislation was intended to target. The couple resided in the home as their primary residence from 2021 to 2023.
The appeal document highlights that while Nurse and his wife were foreign nationals during their stay in the property, Nurse possessed a foreign national work permit and had been employed by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment LTD., the company that owns the Raptors, for almost a decade. The appeal emphasizes Nurse’s significant contribution to the province both economically and socially.
Nurse, who led the Raptors to their historic NBA championship victory in 2019, was relieved of his coaching duties in 2023 after a disappointing season. The notice of appeal asserts that Nurse and his wife met the eligibility criteria for an NRST rebate on their home, as outlined by provincial guidelines.
In correspondence, the couple’s legal representative, Mike Collinge, declined to provide further comments at this time. The appeal reveals that Nurse and his wife applied for the rebate in March 2024, but it was rejected by the province due to their alleged failure to occupy the home until the date of application. The appeal challenges this requirement, stating it was not obligatory when they submitted their rebate application.
Nurse and his wife are now seeking a refund of $697,500 along with applicable interest, and any additional relief deemed appropriate by the court. The legal proceedings continue as the couple awaits a resolution on the matter.
