Naheed Nenshi vs Michelle Rempel

[the_only_turek_fan]

http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-...all-businesses

Asked what Rempel was confused about, Nenshi said the MP simply “didn’t understand what was going on.”

“Apparently, math is challenging, but hopefully, she’ll figure that out,” the mayor said.

Rempel, who has a degree in economics, said she’s fully aware of how math works and called Nenshi’s remarks condescending.

[FLAMESRULE]

Pissing contest between two massive egos. Rempel played the sexist card which is absurd, but scores cheap points.

[Weitz]

You left out the part where she called him sexist for questioning a woman MP.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Ouch. Isn't that basically what Prentice said (directed to Notley) as well? So condescending.

[Nyah]

Condescending, yes. Sexist? Nope.

[Parallex]

Nenshi shouldn't have trotted out the "math is challenging" line. Even if it's not intended to be sexist it immediately comes off that way (and yes, either way it's hugely condescending).

That being said, Michelle Rempel is a spineless phony so I won't be shedding any tears for her.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

Ouch. Isn't that basically what Prentice said (directed to Notley) as well? So condescending.

I think that's what he was poking fun at.

[CroFlames]

Isn't the entirety of political discourse condescending comments or questions? Nothing to see here.

[CaptainCrunch]

Once in a while I wish our Mayor would just know when to shut up, log out of twitter and avoid microphones. He's been fairly effective as a Mayor but the man loves the sound of his voice way to much and at times comes across as a gianormous tool.

[shermanator]

Sigh. Stupid comment from the mayor on the issue. Ridiculous overreaction to the comment from the MP. Has politics always been this petty, or am I just now seeing it as I'm paying attention more?

[Tacopuck]

Stupid Comment by Nenshi, Stupid response by Rempel (The sexist part)

I have been really impressed by Rempel's work since last election, however I was really displeased to see her play the misogynist / sexist card to a comment that wasnt directed in such a manner.

[TheAlpineOracle]

I don't agree with the sexist comment, but Nenshi needs to shut his mouth. He's a complete egomaniac. Doesn't seem to ever learn his lesson. Cannot tolerate anyone with a contrary opinion of his, and goes out of his way to shame on the social media.

[Hack&Lube]

Can we talk about the real issue? Why is the city increasing taxes on commercial properties at a time when vacancies are at an all time high and minimum wage increases are hurting small business? Does the city just say we are going to collect X amount of tax and because all the downtown properties crashed in valuation it means all the mom & pops have to pick up the slack of the major corporate players who aren't paying anymore?

We all know that increasing property taxes on landlords only leads to them simply passing down the cost to their tenants in increased rent or operating costs.

This makes it even harder for all the small business tenants to even survive.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Can we talk about the real issue? Why is the city increasing taxes on commercial properties at a time when vacancies are at an all time high and minimum wage increases are hurting small business?

We all know that increasing property taxes on landlords only leads to them simply passing down the cost to their tenants in increased rent or operating costs.

This makes it even harder for all the small business tenants to even survive.

I don't think it's great timing at all, but we've benefited from significantly less of a property tax burden that other jurisdictions for years and something has to change. It's that or decrease services. What do you suggest they do otherwise?

I know one thing I would do, but I know it wouldn't be very well received. I'd be putting tolls on roads leading in from Airdrie, Okotoks, and Cochrane as soon as you hit Calgary City Limits. Doesn't hurt the people here, and passes some of the burden on to people who live in parasite communities but come in to Calgary all the time to use our services and infrastructure.

[puckedoff]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Can we talk about the real issue? Why is the city increasing taxes on commercial properties at a time when vacancies are at an all time high and minimum wage increases are hurting small business? Does the city just say we are going to collect X amount of tax and because all the downtown properties crashed in valuation it means all the mom & pops have to pick up the slack of the major corporate players who aren't paying anymore?

We all know that increasing property taxes on landlords only leads to them simply passing down the cost to their tenants in increased rent or operating costs.

This makes it even harder for all the small business tenants to even survive.

Its math. The city needs X dollars, so they divide that out to the properties (weighted by property value). There is more vacancy so there is fewer denominator so the remaining properties have to pay higher tax.

Everyone complains about property taxes but the city needs money to function! I don't see people complaining that they have too many big blue ring.

[CaptainCrunch]

Acting city assessor Harvey Fairfield said last week 76 per cent of Calgary businesses will see a tax increase when bills are mailed out in February, despite an effective tax freeze.
The mayor urged business owners who believe their assessments are unfair to go through the appeal process, adding about 1,000 businesses are set to see their property taxes shoot up by more than 30 per cent.

I guess we're going to see a similar vacancy rate outside of the core. a 30% increase is going to be a business killer for a lot of struggling small and medium size businesses that get an increase of that size.

Its stunning how many for lease signs are up and still up in the NE. There have been a lot of signs of for a long period of time which means that businesses are either trying to move to cheaper digs or going under and nothing is coming in to replace them.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

I don't think it's great timing at all, but we've benefited from significantly less of a property tax burden that other jurisdictions for years and something has to change. It's that or decrease services. What do you suggest they do otherwise?

I know one thing I would do, but I know it wouldn't be very well received. I'd be putting tolls on roads leading in from Airdrie, Okotoks, and Cochrane as soon as you hit Calgary City Limits. Doesn't hurt the people here, and passes some of the burden on to people who live in parasite communities.

I think whether we like it or not, its going to be necessary to see a decrease in services.

right now there is only one level of taxpayer but three levels of government who are all jacking up taxes.

At some point governments are going to have to start cutting to go with the increased taxes to gain some sanity, and we as citizens are going to realize that we're going to have to lose some services.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

Its math. The city needs X dollars, so they divide that out to the properties (weighted by property value). There is more vacancy so there is fewer denominator so the remaining properties have to pay higher tax.

Everyone complains about property taxes but the city needs money to function! I don't see people complaining that they have too many big blue ring.

Following the math to the letter doesn't necessarily make for good governance or economics for that matter. It's going to potentially cause a further feedback loop that means further vacancies and now you'll not only have failed downtown business but failed businesses all over the city and more people out of work or drowned in debt. I know a lot of small business is not going to weather the combination of increased taxes and increased wages very well.

How about government do its job to support and revitalize the economy rather than put further pressure on it because they are stubbornly sticking to line items on their budgets. Maybe they could think about slashing their budgets and not being wasteful. I've worked for civic agencies and the waste is astronomical. Every agency or group keeps spending to the limit every year to ensure they get the same budget + more back the next. My friend worked for one where they would throw out all their equipment every year and just order new stuff in order to max out their budgetary spending.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

Its math. The city needs X dollars, so they divide that out to the properties (weighted by property value). There is more vacancy so there is fewer denominator so the remaining properties have to pay higher tax.

Everyone complains about property taxes but the city needs money to function! I don't see people complaining that they have too many big blue ring.

Squeezing blood from a stone is not a great business plan.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by zamler

Squeezing blood from a stone is not a great business plan.

That's literally how property taxes work everywhere. Should they stop doing snow removal to save money?