The government did the right thing. The people complaining are those that were riding the gravy train. We are supposed to rely on the real estate association to ensure the ethical operation of the business? The same association that turned a blind eye to 'shadow flipping'? Where a home was purchased from a buyer, but was sold again before the sale being registered, thus avoiding land transfer taxes and perhaps capital gains taxes?

The sales tax was a good start, but more needs to be done by governments of all levels. Nobody should be profiting from real estate sales unless they pay their fair share of taxes.   Taxing the capital gains for anybody not living in Canada would be a good start.  Confirming source of funds to prevent money laundering is a good idea.

Don't like the 'invasion of privacy', buy a home somewhere else.  Live by the same rules we do or forget about home ownership in Canada.