'Math is challenging': Nenshi and Rempel spar over property taxes, and sexism

A war of words has erupted between Mayor Naheed Nenshi and Calgary Nose HillMP Michelle Rempel over tax cuts, and comments made by the mayor.

It all started over the weekend as Rempelwent after the municipal government for property tax increases that will hit suburban businesses particularly hard.

Her comments were enough to get Nenshi riled, defending the city's spending and yet-to-be-clarified plan to bail out those hit particularly hard by the increases with a $15 million fund.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Nenshi took things a bit further.

"Oh, there's not national interest," he said of the issue. "There's a local MP who's trying to make hay out of something she doesn't understand. I'm happy to have her wade in. I'm happy to have her help, if she wants to help, but it's sort of helpful if she actually knows what she's talking about first.

"She just didn't understand what was going on. Apparently math is challenging, but hopefully she'll figure that out."

Those comments, reminiscent of the late Jim Prentice's "math is difficult" quip during an election debate with Rachel Notley, changed the tone of the debate on social media, with property taxes taking a back seat.

Rempel attacked Nenshi for his comments, saying he was "mansplaining" to her, a term used when a man talks down to a woman.

Nenshiapologized on Twitter for his comments, arguing he'd use the same words for men.

But Rempel's anger was unabated.

As was the anger ofmany of her supporters.

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