Buying your first home comes with many associated costs. Besides appraisal fees, you will need to pay for the land your home sits on. When you purchase a home or land in Ontario, you are subjected to land transfer tax.
In Ontario, land is referred to as any existing buildings and homes, and those that are to be constructed. Land transfer tax is paid to the province of Ontario as a way for them to let you use their land. When you pay the land transfer tax, the land becomes yours (hence, it is being transferred to you). All provinces, with the exception of Alberta and Saskatchewan require the payment of land transfer tax.
Land transfer tax is based on the amount you pay for your land or the fair market value of the land (if a lease is being transferred or the land is being given to a shareholder from a corporation).