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The province has thrown cold water on a request from Calgary city council for help in assisting businesses facing steep property tax hikes, after council released a $190-million proposal to limit the soaring bills caused by the economic downturn.

Municipal Affairs Minister Kaycee Madu appeared to bluntly reject the possibility of the provincial government stepping in to provide assistance to the city in a statement provided to Postmedia on Thursday.

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“The City of Calgary needs to look after its own house,” Madu said. “They have hiked operational spending far beyond inflation and population over the last decade. Council needs to think about where this money has gone and why it has become so reliant on passing its spending hikes onto businesses. It is hard work, but we are doing our part at the Legislature.”

Madu’s statement came hours after council announced that it would seek to implement urgent tax relief measures for commercial property owners on the heels of property tax bills landing in mailboxes across the city this week.

A joint release from 13 of 14 city councillors and Mayor Naheed Nenshi said an urgent notice of motion would be brought forward at the June 17 council meeting, which will attempt to provide $190 million in tax relief to non-residential taxpayers.